Method, system and medium for ordering and marketing eyeglasses via a network

ABSTRACT

A system and method for remotely ordering and purchasing eyeglasses via a network includes a user interface unit, an eyeglass ordering and marketing service center, and a network that connects therebetween. The system includes an eyeglass frame selection unit for selecting eyeglass frames from among a plurality of eyeglass frames in response to user input, a unit for creating display information concerning eyeglass frames, a unit for testing the vision of the user, and an eyeglass lens selection unit for selecting lenses from among a plurality of eyeglass lenses in response to user input. The system also includes an eyeglass ordering and marketing processor wherein the frame selection unit, the vision test unit, and the lens selection unit performing a vision test in response to the requirements of the user. Appropriate eyeglass frames and eyeglass lenses are determined which best fit the user.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to an eyeglass ordering and marketingsystem and a method therefor in which anyone can place an order for andbuy eyeglasses via a network.

2. Description of the Prior Art

Presently, to take a vision test with uncorrected eyes or correctedeyes, one has to visit an ophthalmologist or visit an eyeglass shop tohave his or her vision tested with an optometer apparatus located at theoffice of the ophthalmologist or the eyeglass shop.

Recently, for example, virtual malls are provided on networks, such asthe Internet. However, eyeglass shops provided in the virtual mallsoffer no system for ordering and marketing eyeglasses after confirmingthe wearing conditions and characteristics of eyeglass frames.

When a customer does not want to spend the time required to visit aneyeglass shop, such a system for remotely ordering and marketingeyeglasses would enable the customer to purchase eyeglasses via theInternet.

When a customer's vision deteriorates such that his or her currenteyeglasses or contact lenses are ineffective, he or she has to determineif it is necessary to buy new eyeglasses or contact lenses. Such asystem for ordering and marketing eyeglasses which remotely provides avision test for uncorrected or corrected eyes and which allows one toplace an order for and buy eyeglasses based on the resulting test datawould be beneficial.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

To overcome the problems described above, preferred embodiments of thepresent invention provide a system and method which allows customers toplace an order for and buy eyeglasses remotely via a network.

A first preferred embodiment of the present invention provides anetwork-based eyeglass ordering and marketing system including a userinterface unit and/or a mobile interface, an eyeglass ordering andmarketing service center, and a network connecting therebetween. Thesystem includes a vision testing unit for testing vision of uncorrectedeyes, a vision adjusting unit for determining corrected vision byprocessing data obtained by the vision testing unit, an output unit fortransmitting a visual and/or aural instruction regarding lenses, and aninput unit for inputting an instruction regarding lenses.

A second preferred embodiment of the present invention provides thenetwork-based eyeglass ordering and marketing system including a userinterface unit and/or a mobile interface, an eyeglass ordering andmarketing service center, and a network connecting therebetween. Thesystem includes an imaging unit for imaging a user's face andthree-dimensionalizing the face image, a frame selection unit forselecting an eyeglass frame chosen by the user, a combining unit forcombining an image of the eyeglass frame selected by the frame selectionunit with the user's three-dimensional face image data to display auser's eyeglass-wearing image, an output unit for transmitting a visualand/or aural instruction regarding eyeglass frames, and an input unitfor inputting an instruction regarding eyeglass frames.

A third preferred embodiment of the present invention is a recordingmedium having a program of a network-based eyeglass ordering andmarketing system recorded thereon, the system including a user interfaceunit and/or a mobile interface, an eyeglass ordering and marketingservice center, and a network connecting therebetween. The systemrecorded on the recording medium includes a vision testing unit fortesting vision of uncorrected eyes, a vision adjusting unit fordetermining corrected vision by processing data obtained by the visiontesting unit, an output unit for transmitting a visual and/or auralinstruction regarding lenses, and an input unit for inputting aninstruction regarding lenses.

A fourth preferred embodiment of the present invention is a recordingmedium having a program of a network-based eyeglass ordering andmarketing system recorded thereon, the system including a user interfaceunit and/or a mobile interface, an eyeglass ordering and marketingservice center, and a network connecting therebetween. The systemrecorded on the recording medium includes an imaging unit for imaging auser's face and three-dimensionalizing the face image, a frame selectionunit for selecting an eyeglass frame picked up by the user, a combiningunit for combining an image of the eyeglass frame selected by the frameselection unit with the user's three-dimensional face image data todisplay a user's eyeglass-wearing image, an output unit for transmittinga visual and/or aural instruction regarding eyeglass frames, and aninput unit for inputting an instruction regarding eyeglass frames.

A fifth preferred embodiment of the present invention is a network-basedeyeglass ordering and marketing system including a user interface unitand/or a mobile interface, an eyeglass ordering and marketing servicecenter, and a network connecting therebetween. The system furtherincludes a frame selection unit for selecting an eyeglass frame fromamong a plurality of eyeglass frames for each user, a creating unit forcreating display information chiefly relating to eyeglass frames, atesting unit for testing vision of the user, a lens selection unit forselecting an eyeglass lens from among a plurality of eyeglass lenses foreach user, an eyeglass ordering and marketing processing unit forallowing the frame selection unit, the vision testing unit, and the lensselection unit to test vision in response to a requirement of the usersent from the user interface unit and/or the mobile interface, todetermine eyeglass frames and lenses suitable for the vision tested bythe vision testing unit, for providing the user interface unit and/orthe mobile interface with information relating to ordering andmarketing, and for concluding an eyeglass purchase contract with theuser, and a display information creating unit for creating informationrelating to eyeglass frames in cooperation with or independently of theframe selection unit and/or the eyeglass ordering and marketingprocessing unit, and for transmitting the information relating to theeyeglass frames to the user interface unit and/or the mobile interface.

A sixth preferred embodiment of the present invention is a network-basedcontact lens ordering and marketing system including a user interfaceunit and/or a mobile interface, a lens ordering and marketing servicecenter, and a network connecting therebetween. The system furtherincludes a contact lens selection unit for selecting a contact lens fromamong a plurality of contact lenses in accordance with information oneach user, a creating unit for creating display information chieflyrelating to contact lenses, a lens ordering and marketing processingunit for determining contact lenses in response to a requirement of theuser sent from the user interface unit and/or the mobile interface, forproviding the user interface unit and/or the mobile interface withinformation relating to ordering and marketing, and for concluding acontact lens purchase contract with the user, and a display informationcreating unit for creating information relating to contact lenses incooperation with or independently of the contact lens selection unitand/or the lens ordering and marketing processing unit, and fortransmitting the information relating to the contact lenses to the userinterface unit and/or the mobile interface.

A seventh preferred of the present invention is a recording mediumhaving a program of a network-based eyeglass ordering and marketingsystem recorded thereon, the system including a user interface unitand/or a mobile interface, an eyeglass ordering and marketing servicecenter, and a network connecting therebetween. The system recorded onthe recording medium includes a frame selection unit for selecting aneyeglass frame from among a plurality of eyeglass frames for each user,a creating unit for creating display information chiefly relating toeyeglass frames, a testing unit for testing vision of the user, a lensselection unit for selecting an eyeglass lens from among a plurality ofeyeglass lenses for each user, an eyeglass ordering and marketingprocessing unit for allowing the frame selection unit, the visiontesting unit, and the lens selection unit to test vision in response toa requirement of the user sent from the user interface unit and/or themobile interface, to determine eyeglass frames and lenses suitable forthe vision tested by the vision testing unit, for providing the userinterface unit and/or the mobile interface with information relating toordering and marketing, and for concluding an eyeglass purchase contractwith the user, and a display information creating unit for creatinginformation relating to eyeglass frames in cooperation with orindependently of the frame selection unit and/or the eyeglass orderingand marketing processing unit, and for transmitting the informationrelating to the eyeglass frames to the user interface unit and/or themobile interface.

An eighth preferred of the present invention is a recording mediumhaving a program of a network-based contact lens ordering and marketingsystem recorded thereon, the system including a user interface unitand/or a mobile interface, a lens ordering and marketing service center,and a network connecting therebetween. The system recorded on therecording medium includes a contact lens selection unit for selecting acontact lens from among a plurality of contact lenses in accordance withinformation on each user, a creating unit for creating displayinformation chiefly relating to contact lenses, a lens ordering andmarketing processing unit for determining contact lenses in response toa requirement of the user sent from the user interface unit and/or themobile interface, for providing the user interface unit and/or themobile interface with information relating to ordering and marketing,and for concluding a contact lens purchase contract with the user, and adisplay information creating unit for creating information relating tocontact lenses in cooperation with or independently of the contact lensselection unit and/or the lens ordering and marketing processing unit,and for transmitting the information relating to the contact lenses tothe user interface unit and/or the mobile interface.

A ninth preferred embodiment of the present invention is a method forordering and marketing eyeglasses via a network using a user interfaceunit and/or a mobile interface, an eyeglass ordering and marketingservice center, and a network connecting therebetween. The methodincludes the steps of testing vision of uncorrected eyes, adjusting thevision by processing data obtained by the vision test step, outputting avisual and/or aural instruction regarding lenses, and inputting aninstruction regarding lenses.

A tenth preferred embodiment of the present invention is a method forordering and marketing eyeglasses via a network using a user interfaceunit and/or a mobile interface, an eyeglass ordering and marketingservice center, and a network connecting therebetween. The methodincludes the steps of three-dimensionalizing an imaged user's face forapproximating a real face image of the user, selecting an eyeglass framechosen by the user, combining an image of the selected eyeglass framewith the user's three-dimensional face image to display a user'seyeglass-wearing image, outputting a visual and/or aural instructionregarding eyeglass frames, and inputting an instruction regardingeyeglass frames.

An eleventh preferred embodiment of the present invention is a programfor executing a method of ordering and marketing eyeglasses via anetwork using a user interface unit and/or a mobile interface, aneyeglass ordering and marketing service center, and a network connectingtherebetween. The program includes the steps of testing vision ofuncorrected eyes, adjusting the vision by processing data obtained bythe vision test step, outputting a visual and/or aural instructionregarding lenses, and inputting an instruction regarding lenses.

A twelfth preferred embodiment of the present invention is a program forexecuting a method of ordering and marketing eyeglasses via a networkusing a user interface unit and/or a mobile interface, an eyeglassordering and marketing service center, and a network connectingtherebetween. The program includes the steps of three-dimensionalizingan imaged user's face for approximating a real face image of the user,selecting an eyeglass frame chosen by the user, combining an image ofthe selected eyeglass frame with the user's three-dimensional face imageto display a user's eyeglass-wearing image, outputting a visual and/oraural instruction regarding eyeglass frames, and inputting aninstruction regarding eyeglass frames.

A thirteenth preferred embodiment of the present invention is a methodfor ordering and marketing eyeglasses via a network using a userinterface unit and/or a mobile interface, an eyeglass ordering andmarketing service center, and a network connecting therebetween. Themethod includes the steps of selecting an eyeglass frame from among aplurality of eyeglass frames for each user, creating display informationchiefly relating to eyeglass frames, testing vision of the user,selecting an eyeglass lens from among a plurality of eyeglass lenses foreach user, processing eyeglass ordering and marketing made based on theeyeglass frame selection step, the vision test step, and the lensselection step such that vision is tested in response to a requirementof the user sent from the user interface unit and/or mobile interface,determining eyeglass frames and lenses suitable for the vision,providing the user interface unit and/or the mobile interface withinformation relating to ordering and marketing, and concluding aneyeglass purchase contract with the user, and creating displayinformation relating to eyeglass frames in cooperation with orindependently of the frame selection step and/or the eyeglass orderingand marketing processing step, and for transmitting the information onthe eyeglass frames to the user interface unit and/or the mobileinterface.

A fourteenth preferred of the present invention is a method for orderingand marketing contact lenses via a network using a user interface unitand/or a mobile interface, a lens ordering and marketing service center,and a network connecting therebetween. The method includes the steps ofselecting a contact lens from among a plurality of contact lenses foreach user, creating display information chiefly relating to contactlenses, processing contact lens ordering and marketing, includingdetermining the contact lens selected in the contact lens selection stepin response to a requirement of the user sent from the user interfaceunit and/or the mobile interface, providing the user interface unitand/or the mobile interface with information relating to ordering andmarketing, and concluding a contact lens purchase contract with theuser, and creating display information relating to contact lenses incooperation with or independently of the contact lenses selection stepand/or the contact lens ordering and marketing processing step, and fortransmitting the information on the contact lenses to the user interfaceunit and/or the mobile interface.

A fifteenth preferred embodiment of the present invention is a programfor executing a method of ordering and marketing eyeglasses via anetwork using a user interface unit and/or a mobile interface, aneyeglass ordering and marketing service center, and a network connectingtherebetween. The program includes the steps of selecting an eyeglassframe from among a plurality of eyeglass frames for each user, creatingdisplay information chiefly relating to eyeglass frames, testing visionof the user, selecting an eyeglass lens from among a plurality ofeyeglass lenses for each user, processing eyeglass ordering andmarketing made based on the eyeglass frame selection step, the visiontest step, and the lens selection step such that vision is tested inresponse to a requirement of the user sent from the user interface unitand/or mobile interface, determining eyeglass frames and lenses suitablefor the vision, providing the user interface unit and/or the mobileinterface with information relating to ordering and marketing, andconcluding an eyeglass purchase contract with the user, and creatingdisplay information relating to eyeglass frames in cooperation with orindependently of the frame selection step and/or the eyeglass orderingand marketing processing step, and for transmitting the information onthe eyeglass frames to the user interface unit and/or the mobileinterface.

A sixteenth preferred embodiment of the present invention is program forexecuting a method of ordering and marketing contact lenses via anetwork using a user interface unit and/or a mobile interface, a lensordering and marketing service center, and a network connectingtherebetween. The program includes the steps of selecting a contact lensfrom among a plurality of contact lenses for each user, creating displayinformation chiefly relating to contact lenses, processing contact lensordering and marketing, including determining the contact lens selectedin the contact lens selection step in response to a requirement of theuser sent from the user interface unit and/or the mobile interface,providing the user interface unit and/or the mobile interface withinformation relating to ordering and marketing, and concluding a contactlens purchase contract with the user, and creating display informationrelating to contact lenses in cooperation with or independently of thecontact lenses selection step and/or the contact lens ordering andmarketing processing step, and for transmitting the information on thecontact lenses to the user interface unit and/or the mobile interface.

The above and other elements, characteristics, features, steps andadvantages of the present invention will be apparent from the followingdetailed description of preferred embodiments of the present inventionwith reference to the accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a view illustrating an exemplary configuration of a networkeyeglass ordering and marketing system according to a preferredembodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a view illustrating a first outline of the process flow of anetwork eyeglass ordering and marketing system.

FIG. 3 is a view illustrating a second outline of the process flow of anetwork eyeglass ordering and marketing system.

FIG. 4 is a view illustrating an outline of the process flow (step 2) ofa network eyeglass ordering and marketing system for existing users.

FIG. 5 is a view illustrating an outline of the process flow (step 3) ofa network eyeglass ordering and marketing system for unregistered userswith a doctor's prescription.

FIG. 6 is a view illustrating an outline of the process flow (step 4) ofa network eyeglass ordering and marketing system for unregistered userswithout a doctor's prescription.

FIG. 7 is a view illustrating an outline of the process flow (step 4′)of a network eyeglass ordering and marketing system for unregisteredusers without a doctor's prescription.

FIG. 8 is a view illustrating an outline of the process flow (step 5) ofa network eyeglass ordering and marketing system for selectingready-made presbyopic eyeglasses.

FIG. 9 is a view illustrating a lens selection reference database.

FIG. 10 is a view illustrating a lens database.

FIG. 11 is a view illustrating an exemplary configuration of a remotevision test system.

FIG. 12 is a view illustrating an exemplary configuration of a databaseincluding user information which is controlled by a database controllerat a service center.

FIG. 13 is a view illustrating an exemplary configuration of a databaseincluding reference information for vision tests which is controlled bya database controller at a service center.

FIG. 14 is a view illustrating an exemplary configuration of a databaseincluding vision test information which is controlled by a databasecontroller at a service center.

FIG. 15 is a view illustrating an exemplary configuration of a databaseincluding a vision test table which is controlled by a databasecontroller at a service center.

FIG. 16 is a view illustrating an exemplary configuration of a databaseincluding nearsightedness information which is controlled by a databasecontroller at a service center.

FIG. 17 is a view illustrating an exemplary configuration of a databaseincluding farsightedness information which is controlled by a databasecontroller at a service center.

FIG. 18 is a view illustrating an exemplary configuration of a databaseincluding astigmatism information which is controlled by a databasecontroller at a service center.

FIG. 19 is a view illustrating a screen for performing a vision test ofuncorrected eyes of users.

FIG. 20 is a view illustrating a screen for displaying a vision testtable to users of the system.

FIG. 21 is a view illustrating the result of a vision test.

FIG. 22 is a view illustrating an exemplary configuration of a virtualeyeglass wearing system.

FIG. 23 is a view illustrating an exemplary configuration of a databaseincluding user information which is controlled by a database controllerat a service center.

FIG. 24 is a view illustrating an example of data which is input by aframe selection information input unit at a service center.

FIG. 25 is a view illustrating an exemplary configuration of a databaseon the frame functional structure of each frame which is controlled by adatabase controller at a service center.

FIG. 26 is a view illustrating an exemplary configuration of a databaseincluding the frame ornamental structure of each frame which iscontrolled by a database controller at a service center.

FIG. 27 is a diagrammatic view illustrating a measuring method on a sideof a face image.

FIG. 28 is a diagrammatic view illustrating a measuring method on thefront of a face image.

FIG. 29 is a diagrammatic view illustrating a method for adjustingframes.

FIG. 30 is a view illustrating an exemplary configuration of a networkcontact lens ordering and marketing system.

FIG. 31 is a view illustrating an outline of a flow of processing of anetwork contact lens ordering and marketing system.

FIG. 32 is a diagrammatic view illustrating an application form for acontact lens delivery service.

FIG. 33 is a diagrammatic view illustrating an e-mail confirming thecompletion of registration for a contact lens delivery service.

FIG. 34 is a diagrammatic view illustrating a screen displaying “userregistration.”

FIG. 35 is a diagrammatic view illustrating a first screen displaying“terms of agreement.”

FIG. 36 is a diagrammatic view illustrating a second screen displaying“terms of agreement.”

FIG. 37 is a diagrammatic view illustrating a screen for identificationof a user.

FIG. 38 is a diagrammatic view illustrating a screen for identificationof a user for re-identifying a user.

FIG. 39 is a diagrammatic view illustrating screens displaying “notice”which are transmitted to a user who has not visited a shop for more thanone year.

FIG. 40 is a diagrammatic view illustrating a screen showing acompletion of registration procedure.

FIG. 41 is a diagrammatic view illustrating a screen to be transmittedto a user who is not a registered member of the service.

FIG. 42 is a diagrammatic view illustrating a confirmation of conditionsscreen.

FIG. 43 is a diagrammatic view illustrating a confirmation of deliverylocation screen.

FIG. 44 is a diagrammatic view illustrating a screen for inputting adelivery location other than the registered one.

FIG. 45 is a diagrammatic view illustrating a screen displaying“selection of lens to be ordered.”

FIG. 46 is a diagrammatic view illustrating a screen displaying“determination of number of order items.”

FIG. 47 is a diagrammatic view illustrating a screen displaying“confirmation of payment method.”

FIG. 48 is a diagrammatic view illustrating a screen for confirming aprice for an order and order contents.

FIG. 49 is a diagrammatic view illustrating a screen informing adelivery date and delivery contents which is transmitted to a user afterplacing an order.

FIG. 50 is a diagrammatic view illustrating a screen for prompting auser to input correct specifications of a contact lens to be ordered.

FIG. 51 is a diagrammatic view illustrating a first screen for selectinga shop of purchase.

FIG. 52 is a diagrammatic view illustrating a second screen forselecting a shop of purchase.

FIG. 53 is a diagrammatic view illustrating a screen for selecting atype of contact lens that a user bought before.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

FIG. 1 is a view illustrating an exemplary configuration of a networkeyeglass ordering and marketing system according to a preferredembodiment of the present invention.

As shown in FIG. 1, the network eyeglass ordering and marketing systemincludes a user interface unit 1 and an eyeglass ordering and marketingservice center 2. These components are physically connected to eachanother via a network.

In the following description the Internet is preferably used to connectthe user interface unit 1 to the eyeglass ordering and marketing servicecenter 2.

The network eyeglass ordering and marketing system is provided to marketcustom-made eyeglasses according to specifications of purchasers,including the eyeglass ordering and marketing service center 2.

The electronic eyeglass ordering and marketing system includes the userinterface unit 1, the eyeglass ordering and marketing service center 2,and an external settling institution 3. These components are physicallyconnected to each other via a network.

The user interface unit 1 includes a terminal, such as a personalcomputer, used by purchasers to place an order for and to obtain theireyeglasses via a network. The user interface unit 1 includes an I/O unit11 or an interface between a user and the eyeglass ordering andmarketing service center 2. More specifically, the user interface unit 1includes input devices such as a keyboard or a mouse and output devicessuch as a CRT display.

A keyboard is preferably used as an input device for inputtinginformation such as text data. However, various types of input devicesmay be used, for example, pointing devices such as a mouse, a trackball, or a joystick, touch panels, or switches and any other suitabledata input device.

Furthermore, a digital camera 11 a is preferably provided as an imageinformation input device. However, any device, such as a televisioncamera, a video camera, or a digital still camera may be used as long asit allows image information to be digitized for input. In addition, ahard drive and CD-ROM drive are provided as storage units for storingimages or other information and enabling image information, programs orother suitable information stored on CD-ROMs to be used. Other devicesfor storage media such as DVDs, MOs, or memory units may also be used.

In addition, the personal computer according to this preferredembodiment is connected to a computer network (network) or the Internet,such that image information, software, or any other information or datacan be transmitted and received via the network.

Moreover, the user interface unit 1 preferably includes a WWW browser 12as an interface to the server of the eyeglass ordering and marketingservice center 2. When the user interface unit 1 includes a personalcomputer, the WWW browser 12 is a program stored in the memory of thepersonal computer.

The eyeglass ordering and marketing service center 2 includes anelectronic shop information processor 21, a display information creatingunit 22, an eyeglass ordering and marketing processor 23, a settlingunit 24, and a WWW server/CGI 25.

Specifically, the eyeglass ordering and marketing service center 2includes information processing devices such as personal computers,workstations, and a server. The electronic shop information processor 21is stored in a storage unit, such as a magnetic or optical disk unit ofthe information processing devices. In practice, each of the processorsmentioned above, i.e., the WWW server/CGI 25, the display informationcreating unit 22, the eyeglass ordering and marketing processor 23, andthe settling unit 24 is stored in a program format in the memory of theinformation processing device.

The electronic shop information processor 21 defines product data suchas eyeglass lenses and frames, which are provided in the eyeglassordering and marketing service center 2, in a product definitiondivision via an I/O unit. The product data are stored in a productdatabase as product data information.

In this preferred embodiment, the product data information includes theshelves on which products, such as frames, are exhibited, productnumbers, product names, prices, product descriptions of eyeglass lenses,frames, and other relevant and suitable information. The product datainformation further includes text data, such as product controlinformation, and image data of products, such as frames. The eyeglassordering and marketing service center 2 also preferably includes an I/Ounit which defines an interface to creators of electronic catalogs. TheI/O unit accepts the input of product information including text datasuch as product shelves, product items, and prices, which are requiredfor product definition, or image data showing product shapes, from thecreators of the catalogs. The eyeglass ordering and marketing servicecenter 2 also outputs order information on products purchased bypurchasers including product information such as product numbers orquantities, information on addressees of products, and paymentinformation such as names of external settling institutions, paymentdates, or the amount of payment. The eyeglass ordering and marketingservice center 2 may also include an information-processing device suchas a personal computer including I/O devices such as a keyboard, amouse, a CRT display or any other data input device. In this case, theproduct definition division is defined by a execution program stored inthe memory of the information-processing device.

The electronic shop information processor 21 is provided with anelectronic open shop information unit that includes a shop database, aproduct database, and a basket database. The shop database storesinformation for opening electronic shops and information for definingshop layouts to display product information. The product database storesproduct data information that has been defined. On the other hand, thebasket database accumulates the product information of the product thatthe user interface unit 1 has been instructed to purchase. Theelectronic shop information processor 21 performs the function ofstoring transferred product data information into the product database.

The display information creating unit 22 creates display informationsuch as electronic catalogs in response to a request from the userinterface unit 1. The display information creating unit 22 includes aparameter analysis unit 221, a file retrieving unit 222, and a displaydata creating unit 223. The parameter analysis unit 221 analyzes visiontest data, frame selection information, and other useful information,which are received from the user interface unit 1 via the WWW server/CGI25, and extracts parameters included therein. Based on the parametersextracted by the parameter analysis unit 221, the file retrieving unit222 retrieves data that has been registered and stored in each databaseby the electronic shop information processing unit 21. The display datacreating unit 223 creates display data that is displayed as WWW pages,based on the data retrieved by the file retrieving unit 222. Thus, thedisplay data creating unit 223 functions as the so-called WWW pagecreator.

When a product to be purchased (such as an eyeglass lens or a frame) isselected via the user interface unit 1, the eyeglass ordering andmarketing processor 23 receives a user ID and a product ID to bepurchased from the display information creating unit 22. Based on thisinformation, the eyeglass ordering and marketing processing unit 23 thenobtains detailed information about the product to be purchased from theproduct database, and stores the product information in a user basketdatabase corresponding to the user within the basket database.Subsequently, the eyeglass ordering and marketing processing unit 23obtains a list of products to be purchased by the purchaser from thebasket database, and then passes the list to the display informationcreating unit 22.

When the user interface unit 1 has decided to purchase a product, thesettling unit 24 receives the user ID from the display informationcreating unit 22 to retrieve product data information corresponding tothe purchaser from the basket database. Then, based on the productinformation that has been retrieved, the settling unit 24 makes arequest of the external settling institution 3 for settling processing.The settling unit 24 is informed of the completion of the settlingprocessing by the external settling institution 3, and thereafternotifies the eyeglass ordering and marketing processor 23 and theelectronic shop information processor 21 that an order acceptanceprocessing has been completed. In order to notify the user interfaceunit 1 of the purchase processing, the settling unit 24 also preparesinvoice data and sends the invoice data to the display informationcreating unit 22.

The WWW server (World Wide Web)/CGI (Common Gateway Interface) 25defines an interface to the user interface unit 1 to receive displayrequest information from the user interface unit 1 as well as transferdisplay data to the user interface unit 1.

Based on the request sent from the settling unit 24 of the eyeglassordering and marketing service center 2, the external settlinginstitution 3 performs a settling processing task for payment of theordered eyeglass.

In addition, the outline of the operation of the user interface unit 1and the eyeglass ordering and marketing service center 2 will bedescribed below.

In the eyeglass ordering and marketing service center 2, the WWWserver/CGI 25 receives eyeglass ordering page information that is sentfrom the user interface unit 1, and then activates the displayinformation creating unit 22.

The display information creating unit 22 is activated to receive theeyeglass ordering page information from the WWW server/CGI 25, whichthen enables the parameter analysis unit 221 to analyze the information.The parameter analysis unit 221 outputs information as analyticalresults such as a shop ID for identifying an electronic shop to bedisplayed, a catalog template for determining the type of backgroundimage for an electronic catalog, the product ID of a product to bedisplayed, and a user ID for identifying the purchaser. Based on thedata output from the parameter analysis unit 221, the file retrievingunit 222 retrieves data in the shop database, product database, andbasket database which is necessary to create a display window of ahomepage requested by the user interface unit 1.

After the file retrieving unit 222 has retrieved the data, the processis transferred to the display data creating unit 223. The display datacreating unit 223 first identifies the type of request from the userinterface unit 1. When the request from the user interface unit 1 is oneother than “the determination of a product to be purchased” and “thepurchase of a product”, the display data creating unit 223 createsdisplay data using the result retrieved by the file retrieving unit 222.

When the type of request from the user interface unit 1 is identified as“the determination of a product to be purchased” in the step ofidentifying the type of a request from the user interface unit 1, thatis, when the user has provided an instruction of “putting a selectedproduct into a shopping basket” which reserves a product beingdisplayed, the display data creating unit 223 activates the eyeglassordering and marketing processor 23.

The eyeglass ordering and marketing processor 23 is activated to receivea user ID and the product ID of the product to be purchased from thedisplay data creating unit 223. With this product ID as key information,the eyeglass ordering and marketing processor 23 receives detailedproduct data information about the corresponding product from theproduct database. Then, the product data information retrieved in theforegoing step is stored in the user basket database of the user. Theuser is identified by the user ID received from the display datacreating unit 223. At this point, when no corresponding user basketdatabase exists, a user basket database that corresponds to the user IDis created to store the product data information therein. Then, allpieces of the product data information of the products that the user hasselected are retrieved from the user basket database and passed to thedisplay data creating unit 223. In this case, the display data creatingunit 223 creates a list of display information of the products that theuser intends to purchase, based on the product data information receivedfrom the eyeglass ordering and marketing processor 23, and then sendsthe list of display information to the user interface unit 1. Based onthe information displayed at this point, the user can check the productsto be purchased or cancel part of or all the products to be purchased.

When the type of request from the user interface unit 1 has beenidentified as “the purchase of a product” in the step of identifying thetype of request from the user interface unit 1, that is, when the userhas provided an instruction of his or her decision concerning thepurchase of the products that the user has selected so far, the displaydata creating unit 223 activates the settling unit 24 prior to thecreation of display data.

The settling unit 24 is activated to receive a user ID from the displaydata creating unit 223. With the received user ID, the settling unit 24retrieves the product data information of the purchased product in theuser basket database of the user identified with the user ID in thebasket database. Based on the resulting product data information, arequest for settling processing is sent to the external settlinginstitution 3. In response to the request, the external settlinginstitution 3 performs a settling processing task, and then notifies theeyeglass ordering and marketing service center 2 of the completion ofthe settling processing when completed. Since the settling processingperformed in the external settling institution 3 is conventional, nodetailed description is provided for the settling processing herein.

Upon receipt of a notification from the external settling institution 3that the settling processing has been completed, the settling unit 24forwards the information of the order received to the eyeglass orderingand marketing service center 2. The received order information includesinformation about the ordered product such as the product number andquantity of the product, information about the destination of theproduct, and the settling information, such as the name of the externalsettling institution 3 and the date and amount of payment. In theeyeglass ordering and marketing service center 2, the information aboutthe order received from the WWW server/CGI via an I/O unit is displayed.Then, the settling unit 24 creates invoice data for notification of thecompletion of the settling processing and transmits the invoice data tothe display data creating unit 223. The display data creating unit 223uses the invoice data that has been received to create a display windowfor notification of the completion of the settling processing, and thus,forwards the window to the user interface unit 1.

The method for ordering and marketing eyeglasses by using a networkeyeglass ordering and marketing system will now be described below.

FIG. 2 is a view illustrating a (first) outline of the process flow of anetwork eyeglass ordering and marketing system. FIG. 3 is a viewillustrating a (second) outline of the process flow of a networkeyeglass ordering and marketing system. FIG. 4 is a view illustrating anoutline of the process flow (step 2) of a network eyeglass ordering andmarketing system for existing users. FIG. 5 is a view illustrating anoutline of the process flow (step 3) of a network eyeglass ordering andmarketing system for unregistered users with a doctor's prescription.FIG. 6 is a view illustrating an outline of the process flow (step 4) ofa network eyeglass ordering and marketing system for unregistered userswithout a doctor's prescription. FIG. 7 is a view illustrating anoutline of the process flow (step 4′) of a network eyeglass ordering andmarketing system for unregistered users without a doctor's prescription.FIG. 8 is a view illustrating an outline of the process flow (step 5) ofa network eyeglass ordering and marketing system for selectingready-made presbyopic eyeglasses.

First, when the user interface unit 1 is connected to the eyeglassordering and marketing service center 2, an ID code input window or auser authentication window is transmitted.

The user authentication window prompts the user to input userauthentication information. The user interface unit 1 receives anddisplays the user authentication window, and allows user authenticationinformation to be input and then sent to the eyeglass ordering andmarketing service center 2.

The user authentication information includes a password, user ID andother suitable identifying information.

The eyeglass ordering and marketing service center 2 receives the userauthentication information. Then, based on the information, the eyeglassordering and marketing processor 23 or database controller retrievesdata in the purchaser information database to perform authentication.

The eyeglass ordering and marketing service center 2 sends a basicattribute input window to the user interface unit 1 to allow thepurchaser to input his or her basic attributes and personal information.

At the user interface unit 1, the purchaser inputs basic attributes suchas his or her address, name, date of birth, and telephone number as wellas description of his or her eye condition (e.g. having difficultyviewing near distances) and a request concerning eyeglasses inaccordance with the basic attribute input window sent from the eyeglassordering and marketing service center 2.

Based on the basic attributes of the purchaser sent by the userinterface unit 1, the eyeglass ordering and marketing service center 2retrieves his or her data in the user database which is controlled bythe database controller to check whether the purchaser is registered asa user.

When it is determined from the result of the retrieval that thepurchaser is a registered user, the process proceeds to step 2 shown inFIG. 4, in which vision test data controlled in the eyeglass orderingand marketing service center 2 is retrieved.

Based on the vision test data and frame and lens information data, whichare controlled in the user database (the basket database), an inquirywindow is sent to the user interface unit 1 to check whether neweyeglasses may be made according to the previous data of the purchaser.

When the same frame and lenses as the previous ones are acceptable, theuser interface unit 1 allows the purchaser to click “the same frame asthe previous one is acceptable” on the inquiry window, which is thensent from the user interface unit 1 to the eyeglass ordering andmarketing service center 2.

On the other hand, if the purchaser wants new frames and/or new lenses,the process proceeds to a selection step, a vision test step and/or alens selection step, which are described below.

In addition, if the purchaser has a doctor's prescription, the processproceeds to a prescription service step.

On the step selection window sent from the eyeglass ordering andmarketing service center 2, the purchaser clicks “the frame selectionstep”, “the vision test step”, and “the lens selection step” to transmitthe user's intention to the eyeglass ordering and marketing servicecenter 2.

After the lens selection criteria has been identified in the vision teststep or prescription service step, the process proceeds to the lensselection step.

In the eyeglass ordering and marketing service center 2, the user isretrieved in the user database according to the basic attributes whichare input by the user via the basic attribute input window. If it isdetermined that the purchaser is not a registered user, an inquirywindow for checking if the purchaser has a doctor's prescription is sentfrom the eyeglass ordering and marketing service center 2 to the userinterface unit 1.

On the prescription confirmation window sent to the user interface unit1 for checking if the purchaser has a doctor's prescription, thepurchaser clicks “YES” if the purchaser has a doctor's prescription or“NO” if the purchaser does not.

If the purchaser has a doctor's prescription, that is, if “YES” has beenclicked, the process proceeds to step 3 shown in FIG. 5, in which aninquiry window is sent from the eyeglass ordering and marketing servicecenter 2 to the user interface unit 1 to check if the purchaser is goingto send a scanned version of the prescription or to input the text dataof the prescription.

On the prescription data input window sent from the eyeglass orderingand marketing service center 2, the purchaser may input data regardinghis or her prescription. Alternatively, the purchaser may click a boxsection for scanning and sending the prescription to send the scannedimage data to the eyeglass ordering and marketing service center 2.

Then, the eyeglass ordering and marketing service center 2 sends thedata sequentially to the user interface unit 1 to allow the process toproceed to the frame selection step and/or the lens selection step.

If the purchase has no prescription prepared by an ophthalmologist orthe purchaser has clicked “NO”, the eyeglass ordering and marketingservice center 2 sends an inquiry window for checking if the purchaseris over 40–45 years of age.

If the purchaser is over 40–45 years of age and “YES” is clicked, theeyeglass ordering and marketing service center 2 further sends aninquiry window to the user interface unit 1 to check if the purchaserhas difficulty in viewing near distances.

If the user is aware of difficulty in viewing near distances and clicks“YES”, the eyeglass ordering and marketing service center 2 judges thatthe user has presbyopia and then sends to the user interface unit 1 aninquiry window for checking if the purchaser desires to order presbyopiceyeglasses.

If the purchaser desires to buy custom-made eyeglasses and clicks “YES”,the process proceeds to step 4′ shown in FIG. 7. Then, the eyeglassordering and marketing service center 2 sends the data sequentially tothe user interface unit 1 to allow the process to proceed to the frameand lens selection steps.

On the other hand, if the purchaser has no subjective symptom of havingdifficulty in viewing near distances and clicks “NO”, the processproceeds to the step 4′ shown in FIG. 7. In this step, the eyeglassordering and marketing service center 2 sends the data sequentially tothe user interface unit 1 to allow the process to proceed to the frameand lens selection steps. Judging this case from the viewpoint of age,the purchaser seems to have presbyopia and thus has to go through anincreased number of steps to select either presbyopic or bifocaleyeglasses.

On the other hand, if the purchaser does not desire to order custom-madepresbyopic eyeglasses but desires to order ready-made presbyopiceyeglasses and clicks “NO”, information indicating that ready-madeeyeglasses are to be ordered is sent to the eyeglass ordering andmarketing service center 2.

The eyeglass ordering and marketing service center 2 determines the lensnumber that can be judged from the purchaser's age. Then, the processproceeds to a ready-made presbyopic eyeglass ordering system (step 5 inFIG. 8) for readily providing presbyopic eyeglasses.

If the purchaser is not over 40–45 years of age and clicks “NO”, theprocess proceeds to step 4 shown in FIG. 6, in which the processproceeds from the frame selection step and/or the vision test step tothe lens selection step in the eyeglass ordering and marketing servicecenter 2.

Subsequently, the lens selection step will be described below.

Suppose that the user has determined that the latest vision data can beused and clicks “the selection of lenses according to the latest visiondata”. Moreover, suppose that the user has alternatively determined thathis or her lenses may be prepared according to the doctor's prescriptionand clicks “the selection of lenses according to the doctor'sprescription”. Furthermore, suppose that the user has alternativelydetermined that ready-made presbyopic eyeglasses may be used accordingto his or her age and clicks “the ready-made presbyopic eyeglasses maybe employed”. In these cases, the lens selection unit 26 permits theuser to select lenses according to the respective data.

On the other hand, suppose that the user desires to take a remote visiontest via the Internet even when the latest vision data or the doctor'sprescription is available. In this case, a vision determination unit 28instructs the process to proceed to a remote vision test step that usesa remote vision test system.

Now, the remote vision test system and the method therefor will bedescribed.

FIG. 11 is a view illustrating an exemplary configuration of the remotevision test system.

As shown in FIG. 11, the remote vision test system includes hardwaresuch as a user interface unit 1001 and an electronic service center1002, which are physically connected to each other via a network.

In the following description, the Internet is preferably used as thenetwork to connect the user interface unit 1001 to the electronicservice center 1002.

The remote vision test system extracts vision test data such as thelevel of nearsightedness, farsightedness, and astigmatism, based onreference data input from the user interface unit 1001 for testingvision. The remote vision test system also includes an output device foroutputting vision test results containing the extracted data andincludes the electronic service center 1002.

The electronic service center 1002 includes a vision test server, a userinformation registration units 1003, a vision test information inputunit 1004, a database controller 1005, an image processor 1006, an audioprocessor 1007, a vision data creation unit 1008, and a WWW (World WideWeb) server 1009.

Specifically, the electronic service center 1002 includes informationprocessing devices including personal computers, workstations, a serverand other suitable devices.

In practice, the user information registration unit 1003, the visiontest information input unit 1004, the database control unit 1005, theimage processing unit 1006, the audio processing unit 1007, the visiondata creation unit 1008, and the WWW server 1009 are each stored as aprogram in the memories of the information processing devices.

A database controlled by the database controller 1005 is stored in astorage unit such as a magnetic or an optical disk unit.

The electronic service center 1002 is connected to the user interfaceunit 1001 via a wide area computer network (the Internet).

The database controller 1005 controls information that is prepared bythe electronic service center 1002 after being collected from the userinterface unit 1001 by the user information registration unit 1003, thevision test information input unit 1004, the image processor 1006, andthe audio processor 1007. The information is controlled and organizedinto a user information database, a reference database for testingvision, a vision test database, a vision table database, anearsightedness information database, a farsightedness informationdatabase, and an astigmatism information database. The databasecontroller 1005 also performs functions such as browsing informationstored in a memory unit as the user information database, the referencedatabase for testing vision, the vision test database, the vision tabledatabase, the nearsightedness information database, the farsightednessinformation database, and the astigmatism information database.

In addition, the database controller 1005 has an extraction unit forextracting data according to given conditions and a transmission unitfor sending certain information to the user interface unit 1001.

The user information registration unit 1003 collects data regardingusers or users desiring to take vision tests to register and control thedata in the user information database. The data includes, for example,basic attributes such as addresses, names, dates of birth, telephonenumbers, eye conditions (e.g., difficulty in viewing near distances),requests concerning eyeglasses, and data for identifying users such asuser identifications (IDs), user passwords, and user codes.

In addition, user data required for identifying and sending messages tousers such as facsimile numbers, e-mail addresses, and URLs areregistered as well as data regarding computer environments.

The vision test information input unit 1004 determines and registersvision levels, based on data which is sent from user interface unit andincludes reference for carrying out vision test.

The vision test information input unit 1004 also registers and controlseach piece of data in the reference database for carrying out visiontests.

The image processor 1006 allows a scanner or other suitable deviceprovided for (or connected to) the electronic service center 1002 toread the Landolt rings of a vision test table and allows the databasecontroller 1005 to register and control the rings as a vision tabledatabase. In addition, the image processor 1006 transmits data to theuser interface unit 1001 and displays the Landolt rings of the visiontest table, which are registered and controlled in the vision tabledatabase.

The audio processor 1007 sends voice messages to users according to thewindow sent to the user interface unit 1001, and identifies the voicesent from the user interface unit 1001 to register and control the voiceas data.

Based on the vision test references input at the user interface unit1001, the vision data creation unit 1008 retrieves vision test data suchas levels of nearsightedness, farsightedness, and astigmatism, and thencreates vision test results including the retrieved data.

The WWW server 1009 includes a WWW server device for building homepagesthat are used as an interface to allow the user interface unit 1001 tohave access to the database controller 1005 and other elements of theelectronic service center 1002.

The WWW server 1009 includes a user authentication unit to verify apassword and an identification (ID) if users who request to beregistered to and browse databases controlled by the database controller1005 are authorized users.

The user interface unit 1001 includes terminals used by users to applyfor vision tests, the terminals being defined by personal computers orother suitable devices.

The user interface unit 1001 includes an I/O unit or an interface to auser or purchaser, and more specifically, may include input devices suchas a keyboard and mouse, as well as output devices such as a CRTdisplay.

The user interface unit 1001 includes access devices such as a WWWbrowser as an interface for exchanging various data with the WWW server1009 of the electronic service center 1002. In the case where the userinterface 1001 includes a personal computer, the WWW browser is definedby a program stored in the memory thereof.

Now, an example will be explained in which this system uses homepages ona network such as the Internet (a wide area computer network).

First, the electronic service center 1002 uploads a homepage on theInternet with the WWW server 1009.

With an access device such as a WWW browser of the user interface device1001 that is connected to a wide area computer network, users access theuser information registration unit 1003, which interfaces with thehomepage of the electronic service center 1002, to send a request forvision tests.

The electronic service center 1002 allows the user authentication unitof the WWW server 1009 to verify that the user is an authorizedregistered member according to authentication information including theuser's password and/or identification (ID). After the verification, theuser information registration unit 1003 of the electronic service center1002 writes in the user information database and controls theinformation that the user has sent for registration via the wide areacomputer network.

When it is determined that the user is accessing the vision test systemfor the first time, a basic attribute input window is sent to the userinterface unit 1001. On the basic attribute input window, the userinputs basic attributes such as his or her address, name, date of birth,telephone number as well as eye conditions (difficulty in viewing neardistances), requests concerning eyeglasses and other relevantinformation. Thus, the user interface unit 1001 allows the user to inputnecessary items, which are then sent to the electronic service center1002.

In addition, the user also registers his or her password and/or memberidentification (ID) and other identifying information. Then, the userinformation registration unit 1003 writes the user information in theuser information database via the wide area computer network andcontrols the information thus written therein.

FIGS. 12–18 illustrate an exemplary configuration of each database thatis controlled by the database controller 1005 at the electronic servicecenter 1002.

For example, as shown in FIG. 12, the user information database storesuser information which is used to identify users and includes basicattributes such as user codes, user identifications (IDs), userpasswords, addresses, names, dates of birth, and telephone numbers.

The user information includes the data that is input in the userinformation registration window sent to the user interface unit 1001 andthat is registered by the user information registration unit 1003.

Incidentally, it is not always necessary to register data of all items.

User information identifications (IDs) and passwords may be determinedat the service center according to the user information acquiredoff-line or may be automatically given at the time of an initial accessby a user.

Data stored in the reference database for carrying out vision testsincludes the purpose of use, age, previous lens magnification number,vision with lenses of the previous magnification number, balance betweenthe right and left eyes with lenses of the previous magnificationnumber, the period of service of the previous eyeglasses, the type ofcontact lenses (if used together with the eyeglasses), vision desired tobe attained by correction, the presence of diseases associated withvision and other relevant information.

The vision test database stores data such as vision of uncorrected eyes,corrected vision, pupil distances, corrected levels of magnification fordistance, corrected levels of magnification for reading, dates of test,and the name of a person who determines the level of magnification.

The vision table database stores data indicating the relationshipbetween the levels of magnification and the Landolt rings.

In the nearsightedness information database, the levels ofnearsightedness, the relationship between the level of nearsightednessand vision, types of nearsightedness (levels of magnification), andcorrecting method therefor are registered and controlled. Incidentally,the term “nearsightedness” is used for the eye that causes parallelbeams of light incident to the eye with no adjustment made therefor tofocus at a point in front of the retina (finite point in front of theretina).

The level of nearsightedness is expressed by the reciprocal of a farpoint distance (e.g., for a far point distance=50 cm, the level is equalto 1/0.5=2 D).

The relationship between the level of nearsightedness and vision is asfollows:

TABLE 1 Vision of Vision of uncorrected Level of Corrected uncorrectedLevel of Corrected eyes nearsightedness vision eyes nearsightednessvision 0.8 −0.5 1.2 0.07 −5.0 1.2 0.5 −1.0 1.2 0.06 −6.0 0.9 0.3 −1.51.2 0.05 −7.0 0.7 0.2 −2.0 1.2 0.04 −8.0 0.6 0.1 −3.0 1.2 0.03 −9.0 0.5

The types of nearsightedness (levels of magnification) are as follows:

minor nearsightedness (−4 D), moderate nearsightedness (−4 D to −7 D),severe nearsightedness (−7 D to −10 D), and very severe nearsightedness(−10 D or over).

The correcting method for nearsightedness is to wear an appropriateconcave lens.

In the farsightedness information database, levels of farsightedness,types of farsightedness, and correcting method for farsightedness areregistered and controlled. Incidentally, the term “farsightedness” isused for the eye that causes parallel beams of light incident to the eyewith no adjustment made therefor to focus at a point behind the retina(finite point behind the retina).

The level of farsightedness is expressed by the reciprocal of a farpoint distance (e.g., for a far point distance=50 cm, the level is equalto 1/0.5=2 D).

The type of farsightedness is expressed by its level of magnification asfollows:

minor farsightedness (+4 D), moderate farsightedness (+4 D to +7 D), andsevere farsightedness (+7 D), the correction for which is to wear anappropriate convex lens.

In the astigmatism information database, levels of astigmatism, types ofastigmatism, and correcting method for astigmatism are registered andcontrolled. Incidentally, the term “astigmatism” is used for the eyethat causes parallel beams of light incident to the eye with noadjustment made therefor to focus at no point.

The types of astigmatism are as follows:

Regular astigmatism (Irregularity on the refraction surfaces issymmetrical.)

Irregular astigmatism (No image is formed due to different curvatures inthe same meridian of the eye.)

Correcting methods for astigmatism are as follows:

Simple astigmatism (Wear an appropriate cylindrical lens.)

Compound astigmatism (Wear a cylindrical lens and a spherical lens incombination.)

Irregular astigmatism (Wear a contact lens.)

Now, a method for carrying out a vision test by the remote vision testsystem will be described below.

To begin with, the method for testing the vision of uncorrected eyes isdescribed.

First, the user interface unit 1001 is connected to the service center1002 to allow an ID code input window or a user authentication window tobe transmitted. The user authentication window prompts the user to inputuser authentication information. The user interface unit 1001 receivesand displays the user authentication window, and then the user inputsuser authentication information, which is in turn sent to the electronicservice center 1002.

The user authentication information includes a password, user ID andother identifying information.

The electronic service center 1002 receives the user authenticationinformation and the database controller 1005 and the user informationregistration unit 1003 retrieve the user information from the userinformation database to verify the identity of the user.

In the service center 1002, the database controller 1005 transmits aservice menu window or a user member top page to the user interface unit1001.

The user interface unit 1001 in turn receives and displays the servicemenu.

Then, on the service menu window, the user clicks “vision test foruncorrected eyes” for testing the vision of uncorrected eyes.

Now, an outline of the method for testing the vision of uncorrected eyesis described.

(1) The user covers one eye with a hand to see the uncorrected eyevision test window (FIG. 19) with the other eye. On the uncorrected eyevision test window (FIG. 19), a point to be seen with one eye isdisplayed.

(2) The user makes his or her neck stationary to maintain the samedistance from the user to the uncorrected eye vision test window (FIG.19). For example, in order to keep the face stationary, the user holdsthe neck on the hand palms with the elbows placed on a desk.

Then, in order to maintain the distance from the user to the uncorrectedeye vision test window (FIG. 19), the user places one end of a 30-cmruler on the window to set the distance to approximately 30 cm.

(3) The electronic service center 1002 allows the vision testinformation input unit 1004 to display a Landolt ring 1.0 of the visiontest table at the point “X” on the window.

The electronic service center 1002 determines the distance from the userto the uncorrected eye vision test window (FIG. 19) using the visiontest information input unit 1004, and displays a vision test table thatcorresponds to the vision 1.0.

(4) The user watches the Landolt ring of the vision test table (FIG. 20)with one eye.

(5) The electronic service center 1002 allows the vision testinformation input unit 1004 to display a question for the user on thewindow or the audio processor 1007 presents the question by voice, “Canyou see the open side of the ring?”

(6) If the user can see it, the user clicks “YES” with a mouse (orresponds by voice). In addition, the vision test information input unit1004 of the electronic service center 1002 sends an interactivediagnosis window to the user interface unit 1001. A question “which sideis open?” is displayed on the interactive diagnosis window to allow theuser to click the mouse to choose (or answer by voice) the open side ofthe Landolt ring from the eight directions, that is, “up, down, left,right, upper left, lower left, upper right, and lower right directions”.If the chosen direction is correct, a vision test table of a level ofmagnification 1.2 is displayed and then the same process is repeated.

(7) If the user cannot see the ring or has chosen a wrong direction ofthe opening, the electronic service center 1002 displays a vision testtable having a lower level of magnification than the previous one to theuser interface unit 1001 and then the same process is repeated.

(8) The electronic service center 1002 determines a correct level ofmagnification immediately before two consecutive errors as theuncorrected eye vision.

(9) Then, the same process is carried out on the other eye.

Now, the method for testing corrected vision is described.

(1) The electronic service center 1002 inputs uncorrected eye visiondata on the homepage.

The uncorrected eye vision data includes:

Data that has been obtained through the vision test carried out on thenetwork in the above-mentioned process of “the method for testinguncorrected eye vision”;

Prescription data of an ophthalmologist; and

Previous vision test data controlled at the electronic service center1002.

(2) The electronic service center 1002 transmits an after-correctionvision test window to the user interface unit 1001 and displays thewindow there. The window displays the Landolt ring that the user mayrecognize with lenses that are expected, according to theabove-mentioned uncorrected eye vision input, to provide each of theeyes with corrected vision of 1.2. In other words, “a Landolt ring thatwould be seen as such” is displayed on the after-correction vision testwindow.

(3) The user interface unit 1001 allows the user to see the Landolt ringdisplayed on the window of the user interface unit 1001 with oneuncorrected eye while covering the other eye, and thus determines howthe user sees the Landolt ring of a level of magnification around 1.2.

(4) When the user can see the ring well at the user interface unit 1001and clicks “seen well”, the electronic service center 1002 determinesthe level of magnification as the after-correction vision based on whathas been transmitted from the user interface unit 1001.

When the user cannot see the ring well and clicks “not seen well”, theelectronic service center 1002 determines that the user has anastigmatism based on what has been transmitted from the user interfaceunit 1001, and then the process proceeds to the step of performing anastigmatism test.

In the step of performing an astigmatism test, the electronic servicecenter 1002 sends to the user interface unit 1001 a vision test tableindicating four Landolt rings each of which has an opening at the top,bottom, and 90 degrees to the left and right. Then, the user candetermine his or her astigmatism and its axis, based on how the usersees the Landolt ring on the after-correction vision test windowtransmitted to the user interface unit 1001. The points for determiningthe level of magnification in testing astigmatism are as follows:

(1) Rotating a Landolt ring slowly makes it possible to check whether ornot there is a position at which the opening of the Landolt ringdisappears. If there is such a position, the user at the user interfaceunit 1001 clicks at this point with a mouse on the after-correctionvision test window. With the position clicked, the electronic servicecenter 1002 identifies the astigmatic axis (AXIS).

If the same test repeated several times yields a variation, theelectronic service center 1002 sends to the user interface unit 1001 anafter-correction vision test window, to which a spherical level ofmagnification (SPH) has been added, and repeats the same test.

If the opening of the Landolt ring does not disappear, the user at theuser interface unit 1001 clicks on “the opening does not disappear” onthe after-correction vision test window, so that the electronic servicecenter 1002 determines that the user has no astigmatism.

(2) In addition, the electronic service center 1002 transmits a radialindex image to the user interface unit 1001. Then, the user interfaceunit 1001 allows the user to determine the positions of the most andleast dark lines on the after-correction vision test window and clickthe positions with a mouse, thereby allowing the electronic servicecenter 1002 to identify the astigmatic axis (AXIS).

(3) After the astigmatism has been identified, a vision test tableshowing a Landolt ring after correcting for the astigmatism is displayedon the window to check how it is seen.

(1) The vision corrected to a level of magnification 1.2 is determinedas the corrected vision. The corrected vision is so set that the usercan choose from “exactly corrected=1.2”, “roughly corrected=0.8”, and“moderately corrected=1.0”. Those who desire bifocal eyeglasses can takevision tests both for distance and for reading. For those who desireready-made presbyopic eyeglasses, a level of magnification of presbyopiacan be determined judging from their age. The system for determininglevels of magnification in testing presbyopia is as follows.

(1) The user at the user interface unit 1001 inputs his or her age,occupation, use of eyeglasses, hobby, sport, present disease and soforth, on a questionnaire window transmitted from the electronic servicecenter 1002 to the user interface unit 1001.

(2) Based on the user database of the electronic service center 1002,the level of magnification under the conditions described in (1) isdetermined in advance.

(3) By correlating (1) and (2), the applied level of magnification isdetermined.

Thus, for nearsightedness, data concerning the level of nearsightedness,the relationship between the level of nearsightedness and vision, andthe type of nearsightedness (level of magnification) is extracted fromthe nearsightedness information database and displayed.

For farsightedness, data concerning the level of farsightedness and thetype of farsightedness (level of magnification) is extracted from thefarsightedness information database and displayed.

For astigmatism, data on the level of astigmatism, the relationshipbetween the Landolt ring and level of magnification, and therelationship between Landolt ring and the astigmatism axis is extractedfrom the astigmatism information database.

The results of vision test obtained at the electronic service center1002 are transmitted to the user interface unit 1001 and displayed, forexample, on a vision test result window as shown in FIG. 21.

DIST represents the level of magnification for distance and READrepresents the level of magnification for reading.

SPH represents the spherical level of magnification, CYL represents theastigmatism level of magnification, AXIS represents the axis, and P.D.represents the distance from the center of the right eye to that of theleft eye, that is, the pupil distance.

Incidentally, both levels of magnification for distance and reading arerepresented for the right eye (R) and the left eye (L).

According to this remote vision test system and the method therefor,anyone can have his or her uncorrected eye vision or after-correctionvision tested via the Internet.

The electronic service center 1002 may be integrated with the eyeglassordering and marketing service center 2 to share the unit having thesame function for the remote vision test system to perform intensiveprocessing. Alternatively, the electronic service center 1002 and theeyeglass ordering and marketing service center 2 may be adapted toperform distributed processing with a plurality of computers, servers,and other suitable elements.

The lens selection unit 26 of the eyeglass ordering and marketingservice center 2 transmits a lens selection window for displaying lensesto the user interface unit 1. The lens selection window displays thelenses which are expected to comply with the user's request that theuser has input at and sent from the user interface unit 1 and/or whichthe eyeglass ordering and marketing service center 2 recommends to theuser. The lenses to be displayed on the lens selection window are chosenfrom various lenses registered in a database on the basis of the latestvision test data, doctor's prescriptions, and data obtained by theremote vision test system. If the user has already been registered, thelenses previously purchased are also displayed on the lens selectionwindow.

The alternatives of the lenses include manufacturer's names, models,intended use, lens characteristics (thickness and weight of lens,durability, prevention of UV light), colors, prices, and levels ofmagnification and so forth. The user chooses a lens that the user wantsto buy, and then inputs on the lens selection window the one that theuser wants to buy, which is in turn transmitted to the eyeglass orderingand marketing service center 2.

The eyeglass ordering and marketing service center 2 performs theeyeglass ordering and marketing process using the lens selection unit26, the eyeglass ordering and marketing processor 23, and the settlingunit 24.

Now, the frame selection step will be described.

Suppose that data concerning the function and ornament of a frame existsat the eyeglass ordering and marketing service enter 2, such as when theuser has already been registered. In this case, the frame can beregistered in terms of fashion, image, design and so forth.

Now, it is explained below how to select the frame in the case wheredata relating to the function and aesthetics of the frame exists at theeyeglass ordering and marketing service center 2.

Frames are registered as a database at the eyeglass ordering andmarketing service center 2. A frame selection window for displayingtypical frames chosen from the database is transmitted by the frameselection unit 27 to the user interface unit 1.

Then, the user responds on the frame selection window to the inquiriesin a questionnaire form including fashion, material, design, budget andso forth. Based on the data reflecting the user's requirements, theframe that is determined to be optimum is selected by the frameselection unit 27 in the eyeglass ordering and marketing service center2. Then, the eyeglass ordering and marketing service center 2 sends theframe selection window to the user interface unit 1 again.

If the user has already been registered, the frame previously purchasedis also displayed on the frame selection window.

The alternatives of the frame include fashion, material, design, priceand other factors. The user selects a frame that the user wants to buy.Then, the user inputs the purchase of the frame that the user wants tobuy on the frame selection window, which is in turn transmitted to theeyeglass ordering and marketing service center 2.

Now suppose that no data concerning the function of the frame exists inthe eyeglass ordering and marketing service center 2 or the user wantsto select a frame by having the frame, which the user wants to buy, putvirtually on the face image of the user. In this case, the frameselection unit 27 instructs the user to proceed to a subsequent virtualeyeglass wearing experience step.

Now, the virtual eyeglass wearing system and the method therefor will bedescribed.

FIG. 22 shows a view illustrating an exemplary configuration of avirtual eyeglass wearing system.

The virtual eyeglass wearing system allows various types of eyeglassframes to be put on the image of user's face. The system includes a userinterface unit 2001 and an electronic service center 2002.

These components are physically connected to each other via a network.In the following description, the Internet is preferably used as thenetwork to connect the user interface unit 2001 to the electronicservice center 2002.

The user interface unit 2001 is a terminal used by a user for puttingvarious types of eyeglass frames on the image of the user's face using,for example, a personal computer. The user interface unit 2001preferably includes an I/O unit or an interface to a user using the I/Ounit. More specifically, the user interface unit 2001 preferablyincludes input devices such as a keyboard or a mouse and output devicessuch as a CRT display. The user interface unit 2001 also includes a WWWbrowser 2011 as an interface to the electronic service center 2002. Whenthe user interface unit 2001 is a personal computer, the WWW browser2011 is preferably defined by a program stored in the memory.

The electronic service center 2002 includes a user informationregistration unit 2003, a frame selection information input unit 2004, adatabase controller 2005, a frame information registration unit 2060, aframe image registration unit 2061, a frame selection unit 2008, animage processor 2007, an output unit 2009, and a server including a WWWserver.

Specifically, information processing devices including personalcomputers, workstations, and a server or other suitable devices may beused. The electronic service center 2002 is preferably connected to theuser interface unit 2001 via a wide area computer network (theInternet).

The WWW server builds homepages that are used as an interface by theuser interface unit 2001 to access the database controller 2005 andother elements.

The WWW server also has a user authentication unit to check a passwordand an identification (ID) of a user to determine if a user who requestsregistration to and browsing through a database from the user interface2001 is authorized. The database is preferably controlled by thedatabase controller 2005.

At the electronic service center 2002, an input unit 2006 includingdevices such as a keyboard is used to input data about each frameprovided by the electronic service center 2002. Then, text data aboutframe functional structures and frame ornamental structures isregistered and controlled.

The frame image registration unit 2061 of the input unit 2006 at theelectronic service center 2002 is used to input the image of frames thatare provided by the electronic service center 2002. Then, the frameimages input at the electronic service center 2002 are registered andcontrolled.

The user information registration unit 2003 of the electronic servicecenter 2002 is used to register and control user information such asface images transmitted from the user interface unit 2001.

The database controller 2005 stores and controls user's face imagesinput by the user information registration unit 2003, and frame imagesinput by the frame image registration unit 2061 of the input unit 2006.

The frame selection unit 2008 of the electronic service center 2002 isadapted to select a suitable frame functional structure, a frameornament, and a frame image for each frame in the database controller2005, which are stored by the frame information registration unit 2060.In this case, the selection is performed based on the frame selectionreferences that are controlled by the database controller 2005, that is,functional structure data, ornamental structure data, and face imagedata for selecting a frame that the user desires. The frame selectionunit 2008 is further adapted to create or select frame images fordisplaying eyeglass frames of different types.

The image processor 2007 of the electronic service center 2002 isadapted to output an eyeglass wearing image in which an eyeglass frameimage selected by the above-mentioned frame selection unit 2008 iscombined with a face image data controlled by the database controller2005.

The user interface unit 2001 includes a terminal used by a user and is,for example, a personal computer.

The user interface unit 2001 in this preferred embodiment preferablyincludes a personal computer as the main component and is furtherprovided with a CRT or a head mounted display (HMD) as an image displayunit capable of displaying view images. It is possible to use othermethods and devices for displaying images such as screen projection orlaser irradiation. Moreover, a keyboard is preferably used as aninformation input device. However, it is possible to use various typesof input devices such as pointing devices such as mice, track balls, orjoysticks, touch panels, switches or other suitable devices.

Furthermore, a digital camera is preferably provided as an image inputdevice. However, any device such as television cameras, video cameras,or digital still cameras may be used as long as they allow imageinformation to be digitized for input. In addition, a hard disc and aCD-ROM drive are provided as a storage unit for storing images or otherinformation, making it possible to use image information, programs orother information which are stored in CDs. It is also possible to usedevices for storage media such as DVDs, MOs, or memory units.Furthermore, the personal computer according to this preferredembodiment is preferably connected to the Internet or a computer network(network), such that image information, software, or other informationis transmitted and received via the network.

A computer that is a main component of the electronic service center2002 first receives a command for operating the virtual eyeglass wearingsystem from a keyboard. The computer also includes the user informationregistration unit 2003 capable of receiving data such as personalinformation about users and display parameters of view images or acommand for selection and the frame selection information input unit2004. The computer further includes the frame image registration unit2061 for receiving the input of image data digitized from a digitalcamera of the user interface unit 2001. The computer further includesthe image processor 2007 for performing image processing according tothe input data to select or create an appropriate virtual eyeglasswearing image. Moreover, the computer is provided with the databasecontroller 2005 that stores and controls software of the virtualeyeglass wearing system, image information, view image samples that canbe selectively displayed. View images that have been created or selectedby the image processor 2007 are output from the output unit 2009 to bedisplayed on a CRT or HMD of the user interface unit 2001.

Now, a situation in which this system is implemented through a homepageon a network such as the Internet (a wide area computer network) isdescribed.

First, the electronic service center 2002 uploads a homepage on theInternet with the WWW server. With an access device such as a WWWbrowser of the user interface unit 2001 connected to a wide areacomputer network, a user accesses the frame selection information inputunit 2004 having an interface defined by a homepage of the electronicservice center 2002. Then, the user sends a request for registration offrame selection reference data.

The electronic service center 2002 allows the user authentication unitof the WWW server to verify that the user has been authorized andregistered, based on the user authentication information such as theuser's password and/or identification (ID) and other identifyinginformation.

Subsequently, the frame selection information input unit 2004 of theelectronic service center 2002 writes in a storage unit and controls theselection reference information that has been requested from the userfor registration via the wide area computer network.

The electronic service center 2002 also transmits an input window ofbasic attributes of the user to the user interface unit 2001. On theuser basic attribute input window transmitted to the user interface unit2001, the user inputs basic attributes of the user such as the user'sname, address, date of birth, telephone number, eye conditions (e.g.,difficulty in viewing near distances), and requests concerningeyeglasses.

The user further inputs selection criteria for a frame such as fashion,budget, function and condition of fit to the user's face into the userbasic attribute input window sent from the electronic service center2002.

The electronic service center 2002 stores and registers the user's basicattributes, selection criteria for a frame and other suitableinformation, as shown in each database structure illustrated in FIGS.23–26, controlled by the database controller 2005.

Face images input by an image input device of the user interface unit2001 are also transmitted to the electronic service center 2002.

Incidentally, when a face image is input with the image input device, aruler or other measuring device is placed under the face to allow theface image to be input in conjunction with the ruler.

Based on the front view and side views (both sides) of the face imagesent to the electronic service center 2002, the electronic servicecenter 2002 creates frame selection criteria.

That is, based on the text data and the image data transmitted from theuser interface unit 2001, the frame selection information input unit2004 of the electronic service center 2002 creates the functionalstructure data and ornamental structure data of a frame. Then, thedatabase controller 2005 stores and controls the data in the storageunit.

The frame functional structure data includes, for example, the distancebetween the right and left pupils, the widths from the center of theright and left pupils to the base of the ears, and the opening angles oftemples determined based on the widths from the center of the right andleft pupils to the base of the ears. Also included are the distancesfrom the base of the ears to the tops of the corneas, the bendingpositions of the temples, the distances between the tops of the corneasand the base of the nose, the opening angles of pad bridges determinedbased on the distances between the tops of the corneas and the base ofthe nose, budgets and so forth.

Moreover, based mainly on text data such as selection criteria (sense offashion and condition of fit to the face) transmitted from the userinterface unit 2001, the frame selection information input unit of theelectronic service center 2002 also creates frame ornamental structuredata. Then, the frame ornamental structure data is stored in the storageunit and controlled by the database controller.

The frame ornamental structure data includes shapes such as Wellington,Lloyd, Oval, Square, Tonneau, Boston, Butterfly, and Auto (Drop).Materials are rimless (two-point, three-point), metal+nylon rimmed,celluloid+nylon rimmed, metal, celluloid, brow-line, combination and soforth. Brands include various brands, and colors include various colors.

At the electronic service center 2002, text data concerning the framefunctional structure data and the frame ornamental structure data foreach of the frames that can be supplied is registered and controlled bythe input unit 2006 such as a keyboard and the frame image registrationunit 2061. The frame images input from the frame image registration unit2061 of the input unit 2006 at the electronic service center 2002 areregistered and controlled.

The frame functional structure data of each frame includes a size or anactual size (44F–62F), and features such as a shape-memory alloy,super-light weight, super-elasticity, simultaneous function assunglasses, portability and so forth. Also included are functions suchas the distance between the right and left pupils, the widths from thecenter of the right and left pupils to the base of the ears, the openingangles of temples determined based on the widths from the center of theright and left pupils to the base of the ears, the distances from thebase of the ears to the tops of the corneas, the bending positions ofthe temples, the distances between the tops of the corneas and the baseof the nose, and the opening angles of pad bridges determined based onthe distances between the tops of the corneas and the base of the nose.

The frame ornamental structure data includes shapes such as Wellington,Lloyd, Oval, Square, Tonneau, Boston, Butterfly, and Auto (Drop).Materials are rimless (two-point, three-point), metal+nylon rimmed,celluloid+nylon rimmed, metal, celluloid, brow-line, combination and soforth. Brands include various brands, and colors include various colors.

The user information registration unit 2003 of the electronic servicecenter 2002 registers and controls face images transmitted from the userinterface unit 2001. Frame images input from the frame imageregistration unit 2061 of the input unit 2006 at the electronic servicecenter 2002 are registered and controlled.

The database controller 2005 stores user face images input by the userinformation registration unit 2003 and frame images input by the frameimage registration unit 2061 of the input unit 2006.

The frame selection unit 2008 of the electronic service center 2002selects a suitable frame functional structure, a frame ornament, and aframe image for each frame in the database controller 2005, which arestored by the frame information registration unit 2060. In this case,the selection is performed based on the frame selection references thatare controlled by the database controller 2005, that is, functionalstructure data, ornamental structure data, and face image data forselecting a frame that the user wants. The frame selection unit 2008further creates or selects frame images for displaying some eyeglassframes of different types.

The image processor 2007 of the electronic service center 2002 isadapted to output an eyeglass wearing image in which an eyeglass frameimage selected by the above-mentioned frame selection unit 2008 iscombined with a face image data controlled by the database controller2005.

Then, the eyeglass-wearing image combined by the image processor 2007 isadapted to be output to each user interface unit 2001 by the WWW servervia the Internet.

Now, the method for the user to wear various eyeglasses using theabove-mentioned virtual eyeglass wearing system is described below.

First, when the user interface unit 2001 is connected to the electronicservice center 2002, an ID code input window or a user authenticationwindow is transmitted.

The user authentication window prompts the user to input userauthentication information.

At the user interface unit 2001, the user authentication window isdisplayed, and then the user inputs user authentication information tobe transmitted to the electronic service center 2002.

The user authentication information includes a password, user ID andother suitable identifying information.

The electronic service center 2002 receives the user authenticationinformation, based on which the database controller 2005 and the userinformation registration unit 2003 retrieve in the user informationdatabase to perform authentication.

When it is determined that the user is using the system for the firsttime, a window for inputting basic attributes is further transmittedfrom the electronic service center 2002 to the user interface unit 2001.

Based on the window transmitted from the electronic service center 2002,the user at the user interface unit 2001 inputs basic attributes of theuser, such as the user name, address, date of birth, and telephonenumber.

The electronic service center 2002 receives the basic attributes of theuser, based on which the database controller 2005 and the userinformation registration unit 2003 creates a user information databaseand registers the password, the user ID and so forth.

Then, the service center 2002 transmits a frame selection referencewindow for inputting frame selection criteria to the user interface unit2001.

The frame selection reference input window is used by a user to inputcriteria (such as the sense of fashion, budget, function, condition offit to the face) for selecting a frame.

The user inputs frame selection criteria such as the sense of fashion,budget, function, condition of fit to the face and other criteria on theframe selection reference input window at the user interface unit 2001.

Subsequently, after the user has completed inputting the frame selectioncriteria in text data, a window prompting the user to transmit the userface image is further transmitted from the electronic service center2002 to the user interface unit 2001.

The user takes the front view and side views (right and left sides) ofthe user face image into the user interface unit 2001 with an imageinput device such as a digital camera or a scanner.

Then, the front and side views of the user face image are transmittedfrom the user interface unit 2001 to the electronic service center 2002via the Internet.

The electronic service center 2002 allows the frame selectioninformation input unit 2004 to receive the text data and image data (theface image of the user), which are frame selection criteria sent fromthe user interface unit 2001, and the database controller 2005 toregister and control the data.

(1) Based on the side images (FIG. 27) of the user, the distances (L₁)between the base of the ears and the tops of the corneas of the user aremeasured separately for the left and right, and the resulting data isregistered and controlled by the database controller 2005. Based on theaforementioned measurements, the positions at which the temples are bentare determined separately for the left and right, and then registered.

(2) Based on the side images of the user, the distances (L₂) between thetops of the corneas of the user eyes and the base of the nose aremeasured, and an average value of the left and right distances isregistered and controlled in the database controller 2005. The distanceL₂ is usually 12 mm. The frame selection information input unit 2004determines and registers the opening angles of the pad bridges, based onthe above measurements.

(3) Based on the front image (FIG. 28) of the user, the widths (L₃) fromthe center of the pupils of the right and left eyes to the base of theears are measured separately for the left and right, and are thenregistered and controlled by the database controller 2005. Based on theabove measurements, the frame selection information input unit 2004determines and registers the opening angles θ of the temples separatelyfor the left and right.

For the widths from the center of the pupils of the right and left eyesto the ears, the distance between the pupils (PD) is first determined.However, at the electronic service center 2002, the pupils cannot beprecisely detected on the user face image, and therefore the distancebetween the pupils (PD) is approximated, for example, from the distance(PD₁) between the left side of the left eye and the left side of theright eye.

The pupils cannot be detected from the face image. Therefore, todetermine the distance (L₄) between the pupil of the left eye and theleft ear, the distance from the base of the left ear to the right sideof the left eye (La) and the distance from the base of the left ear tothe left side (Lb) of the left eye are determined. Then, the distance(L₄) between the pupil of the left eye and the left ear is determined bycalculation. The distance between the right eye and the right ear canalso be determined in the same manner.

The opening angles θ of the left and right temples of the eyeglass frameare adjusted, for example, by correcting and bending the temples by theamount of angle obtained from the following equation.PD/2+L ₄ −L ₅

where L₅ is the front size of the eyeglass frame (Refer to FIGS. 28 and29).

(4) When bifocal lenses are specified, an additional bending angle of 5degrees is provided for the angle of inclination of the lens surface.For this reason, the opening angle of the pad bridges is determined andregistered by being corrected with the additional angle of bending.

Thus, at the service center 2002, the central processing unit and theframe selection information input unit 2004 perform computation tocreate functional structure data, ornamental structure data, and faceimage data, which are in turn stored by the database controller 2005 inconjunction with the face image data.

At the electronic service center 2002, the frame informationregistration unit 2060 and the frame image registration unit 2061 inputand store in advance the frame functional structure, the frameornamental structure, and the frame image of each frame in the databasecontroller 2005. Based on the frame functional structure, the frameornamental structure, and the frame image of each frame registered bythe database controller 2005 through the frame information registrationunit 2060 and the frame image registration unit 2061, an appropriateframe is selected corresponding to the functional structure data,ornamental structure data, and face image data according to the frameselection criteria transmitted from the user interface unit 2001.

The frame selection unit 2008 creates or selects frame images fordisplaying eyeglass frames of different types. Thereafter, the imageprocessor 2007 of the electronic service center 2002 creates aneyeglass-wearing image in which the image of the frame that fits theface image of the user is combined with the face image of the user.

Then, the eyeglass-wearing image in which the face image of the user iscombined with the frame image, which is created by the image processor2007, is transmitted from the output unit 2009 (the WWW server) to theuser interface unit 2001 via the Internet.

The user can check the image transmitted to the user interface unit 2001to see if the frames are similar to those that the user has requestedand how the user's face looks with the frames thereon at theeyeglass-wearing window.

Suppose that the frames are different from those that the user hasrequested or the user wants to see the face with different framesthereon. In this case, the user further inputs a message to the eyeglasswearing window sent from the electronic service center 2002 andtransmits the message to the service center 2002.

The electronic service center 2002 selects different frames in the samemanner as the one mentioned above, and again transmits aneyeglass-wearing window from the WWW server to the user interface unit2001 via the Internet.

According to the virtual eyeglass wearing system and the methodtherefor, the user can put various eyeglass frames on photographic data.Moreover, the user can try on various eyeglass frames at home via anetwork such as the Internet without going out to an eyeglass shop andselect optimum frames that meet the user's own preference.

The user cannot usually see his or her face with eyeglass frames thereonfrom a third person's point of view. However, according to this systemand method, the user can select frames with the selected eyeglass frameson his or her face while the user wears his or her own eyeglasses orcontact lenses, that is, with an adequate vision. Thus, the user canselect eyeglass frames that best fit the user.

Incidentally, the electronic service center 1002 and 2002 may beintegrated into the eyeglass ordering and marketing service center 2, asingle computer, and a server to perform processing. Alternatively, theymay perform distributed processing with a plurality of computers andservers.

FIG. 30 is a view illustrating an exemplary configuration of a networkcontact lens ordering and marketing system according to a preferredembodiment of the present invention.

As shown in FIG. 30, the system includes a mobile interface 3001 andhardware defining a contact lens ordering and marketing service center3002.

These components are operatively connected to each another via anetwork.

The network connecting the mobile interface 3001 and the contact lensordering and marketing service center 3002 includes the Internet, mobilecommunication networks, telephone lines, and other equipment.

The network contact lens ordering and marketing system is capable ofmarketing contact lenses with strength adjusted to the vision orrequests of those who place contact lens orders, and includes thecontact lens ordering and marketing service center 3002.

The mobile interface 3001 is a mobile phone or other mobile informationterminal for use of known services such as i-mode®, J-phone sky walker®,C-mail®, sky message®, and is used by a purchaser for placing an orderfor and obtaining their contact lenses via a network.

The mobile interface 3001 is an interface between a user or prospectivepurchaser and the service center, and includes an I/O device. Morespecifically, the I/O device is defined by an input device such as akeyboard and an output device such as a liquid crystal display.

Furthermore, the mobile interface 3001 is adapted to be connected to acomputer network (network) or the Internet, such that image information,software, or any other information or data can be transmitted andreceived via the network.

Moreover, the mobile interface 3001 includes a WWW browser as aninterface to the server of the contact lens ordering and marketingservice center 3002.

The contact lens ordering and marketing service center 3002 includes anelectronic shop information processor 3021, a display informationcreating unit 3022, a contact lens ordering and marketing processor3023, a settling unit 3024, and a WWW server/CGI 3025.

Specifically, the contact lens ordering and marketing service center3002 includes information processing devices such as personal computers,workstations, and servers. The electronic shop information processor3021 is stored in a storage unit such as a magnetic or optical disk unitof the information processing devices. In practice, each of theprocessors mentioned above, i.e., the WWW server/CGI 3025, the displayinformation creating unit 3022, the contact lens ordering and marketingprocessor 3023, and the settling unit 3024 is stored for execution in aprogram format in the memory of the information processing device.

The electronic shop information processor 3021 defines product data suchas contact lenses and related goods, which are provided in the contactlens ordering and marketing service center 3002, in a product definitiondivision via an I/O unit. The product data defined here are stored in aproduct database as product data information.

In this preferred embodiment, the product data information includes theshelves on which products such as contact lenses are exhibited, productnumbers, product names, prices, product descriptions of e.g. contactlenses, text data such as product control information, and image data ofproducts such as contact lenses and related goods. The contact lensordering and marketing service center 3002 also preferably includes anI/O unit which serves as an interface to creators of electroniccatalogs. The I/O unit accepts the input of product informationincluding text data such as product shelves, product items, and prices,which are required for product definition, or image data showing productshapes, from the creators of the catalogs. As order information onproducts purchased by purchasers, the contact lens ordering andmarketing service center 3002 also outputs information which includesinformation about products such as product numbers or quantities,information on addressees of products, and information on payment suchas names of external settling institutions, payment dates, or the amountof payment. The contact lens ordering and marketing service center 3002can be set up by an information processing device such as a personalcomputer including I/O devices such as a keyboard, a mouse, a CRTdisplay or other suitable devices. In this case, the product definitiondivision is defined by a program stored for execution in the memory ofsuch an information processing device.

The electronic shop information processor 3021 is provided with anelectronic open shop information unit that includes a shop database, aproduct database, and a basket database.

The shop database stores information for opening electronic shops andinformation for defining shop layouts to display product information.

The product database stores product data information that has beendefined.

On the other hand, the basket database accumulates the information of aproduct, the purchase of which has been instructed from the mobileinterface 3001.

The electronic shop information processor 3021 performs the function ofstoring transferred product data information into the product database.

The display information creating unit 3022 creates display informationsuch as electronic catalogs in response to a request from the mobileinterface 3001.

The display information creating unit 3022 includes a parameter analysisunit 3221, a file retrieving unit 3222, and a display data creating unit3223.

The parameter analysis unit 3221 analyzes data such as vision test data,which are received from the mobile interface 3001 via the WWW server/CGI3025, and extracts parameters included therein.

Based on the parameters extracted by the parameter analysis unit 3221,the file retrieving unit 3222 retrieves data that has been registeredand stored in each database by the electronic shop informationprocessing unit 3021.

The display data creating unit 3223 creates display data that can bedisplayed as WWW pages, based on the data retrieved by the fileretrieving unit 3222. Thus, the display data creating unit 3223functions as a WWW page creator.

When a product to be purchased (such as a contact lens) is selected viathe mobile interface 3001, the contact lens ordering and marketingprocessor 3023 receives a user ID and a product ID to be purchased fromthe display information creating unit 3022. Based on this information,the processing unit 3023 then obtains detailed information about theproduct to be purchased from the product database, and stores theproduct information in a user basket database corresponding to the userwithin the basket database. Subsequently, the contact lens ordering andmarketing processing unit 3023 obtains a list of products to bepurchased by the purchaser from the basket database, and then passes thelist to the display information creating unit 3022.

The lens selection unit 3026 selects or determines a contact lens fromamong a plurality of contact lenses in response to the requests sentfrom the purchaser via the mobile interface 3001, sends informationregarding the ordering and marketing to the mobile interface 3001, so asto enter into a contact lens sales contract with the purchaser.

When the purchase of the product is confirmed by the mobile interface3001, the settling unit 3024 receives the user ID from the displayinformation creating unit 3022 to retrieve product data informationcorresponding to the purchaser from the basket database. Then, based onthe product data information that has been retrieved, the settling unit3024 makes a request to the external settling institution 3003 forsettling processing. The settling unit 3024 is informed of thecompletion of the settling processing by the external settlinginstitution 3003, and thereafter notifies the contact lens ordering andmarketing processor 3023 and the electronic shop information processor3021 that an order acceptance processing has been completed. In order tonotify the mobile interface 3001 of the purchase processing, thesettling unit 3024 also prepares invoice data, on which to base theprocess, to send the invoice data to the display information creatingunit 3022.

The WWW server/CGI 3025 defines an interface to the mobile interface3001 to receive display request information from the mobile interface3001 as well as transfer display data to the mobile interface 3001.

Based on the request sent from the settling unit 3024 of the contactlens ordering and marketing service center 3002, the external settlinginstitution 3003 performs a settling processing task for payment of theordered contact lens.

Now, the outline of the operation of the mobile interface 3001 and thecontact lens ordering and marketing service center 3002 will bedescribed below.

In the contact lens ordering and marketing service center 3002, the WWWserver/CGI 3025 receives contact lens ordering page information that issent from the mobile interface 3001, and then activates the displayinformation creating unit 3022 under the control of the controlling unit3030.

The display information creating unit 3022 is activated to receive thecontact lens ordering page information from the WWW server/CGI 3025,which then permits the parameter analysis unit 3221 to analyze theinformation.

The parameter analysis unit 3221 outputs information as analyticalresults such as a shop ID for identifying an electronic shop to bedisplayed, a catalog template for determining the type of a backgroundimage for an electronic catalog, the product ID of a product to bedisplayed, and a user ID for identifying the purchaser.

Based on the data output from the parameter analysis unit 3221, the fileretrieving unit 3222 retrieves data in the shop database, productdatabase, and basket database, the data being necessary for creating adisplay window of a homepage requested by the mobile interface 3001 fordisplay.

After the file retrieving unit 3222 has retrieved the data, the processis transferred to the display data creating unit 3223.

The display data creating unit 3223 first identifies the type of arequest from the mobile interface 3001. When the request from the mobileinterface 3001 is one other than “the determination of a product to bepurchased” and “the purchase of a product,” the display data creatingunit 3223 creates data for display using the result retrieved by thefile retrieving unit 3222.

Suppose that the type of request from the mobile interface 3001 has beenidentified as “the determination of a product to be purchased” in thestep of identifying the type of a request from the mobile interface3001. That is, when the user has provided an instruction of “putting aselected product into a shopping basket” to instruct to reserve aproduct being displayed, the display data creating unit 3223 activatesthe contact lens ordering and marketing processor 3023.

The contact lens ordering and marketing processor 3023 is activated toreceive a user ID and the product ID of the product, which the user hasinstructed to purchase, from the display data creating unit 3223. Withthis product ID as key information, the processor 3023 receives detailedproduct data information about the corresponding product from theproduct database.

Then, the product data information retrieved in the foregoing step isstored in the user basket database of the user within the basketdatabase, the user being identified by the user ID received from thedisplay data creating unit 3223. At this point, when no correspondinguser basket database exists, a user basket database that corresponds tothe user ID is created to store the product data information therein.

Then, all pieces of the product data information of the products thatthe user has selected are retrieved from the user basket database andpassed to the display data creating unit 3223. In this case, the displaydata creating unit 3223 creates a list of display information on theproducts that the user intends to purchase, based on the product datainformation received from the contact lens ordering and marketingprocessor 3023, and then sends the list of display information to themobile interface 3001. Based on the information displayed, the user cancheck the products to be purchased or cancel part or all of the productsto be purchased.

Suppose that the type of request from the mobile interface 3001 has beenidentified as “the purchase of a product” in the step of identifying thetype of a request from the mobile interface 3001. In other words, whenthe user has provided an instruction of his/her decision concerning thepurchase of the products that the user has selected, the display datacreating unit 3223 activates the settling unit 3024 prior to thecreation of display data.

The settling unit 3024 is activated to receive a user ID from thedisplay data creating unit 3223. With the received user ID, the settlingunit 3024 retrieves the product data information of the purchasedproduct in the user basket database of the user identified with the userID in the basket database. Based on the resulting product datainformation, a request for settling processing is sent to the externalsettling institution 3003.

In response to the request, the external settling institution 3003performs a settling processing task, and then notifies the contact lensordering and marketing service center 3002 of the completion of thesettling processing when completed. Since the settling processingperformed in the external settling institution 3003 is conventional, nodetailed description is provided for the settling processing herein.

Upon receipt of a notification from the external settling institution3003 that the settling processing has been completed, the settling unit3024 forwards the order information that has been received to thecontact lens ordering and marketing service center 3002. The informationabout the order received includes information about the ordered productsuch as the product number and quantity of the product, informationabout the destination of the product, and the settling information suchas the name of the external settling institution 3003 and the date andamount of payment. In the contact lens ordering and marketing servicecenter 3002, the information about the order received from the WWWserver/CGI 3025 via an I/O unit is displayed.

Then, the settling unit 3024 creates invoice data for notifying of thecompletion of the settling processing and transmits the invoice data tothe display data creating unit 3223.

The display data creating unit 3223 uses the invoice data that has beenreceived to create a display window for notifying of the completion ofthe settling processing, and thus, forwards the window to the mobileinterface 3001.

Next, the method of ordering and marketing contact lenses via thenetwork-based contact lens ordering and marketing system will bedescribed below with reference to FIG. 31 to FIG. 52.

This method offers a contact lens delivery service whereby customers whohave bought a disposable contact lens within one year before theapplication date for the delivery service can order the same contactlens as the one currently in use via a mobile interface 3001.

This system, therefore, is not designed for sales to people who have nopurchase history of contact lenses for more than one year. Also, thesystem does not accept an order for a different contact lens from theone bought before. It only allows for ordering of the same contact lensas the previously purchased one.

This is to prevent contact lens wearers from purchasing a contact lensin accordance with an outdated prescription for health reasons.

Those who have bought a contact lens are given the chance of applyingfor the contact lens delivery service with an application form shown inFIG. 32 upon agreeing to its terms of use.

The applicants are requested to fill in the application form includingtheir names, addresses, phone numbers, i-mode or e-mail addresses, IDs,passwords, places of delivery of products, and payment methods includingcredit card information such as card numbers, types, and expirationdates. The registration information specified in these application formsis input with an input device, recorded and stored in a WEB data file3027 at the contact lens ordering and marketing service center 3002.

The service center keeps another registered user data file (host data)3028 in which is recorded and managed data regarding the customers whohave bought contact lenses within the past one year, including basicinformation such as addresses, names, and phone numbers, as well as dataregarding magnification number or other useful information about thecontact lenses that they are now wearing. The WEB data file (WEB data)3027 is compared with the registered user data file (host data) 3028,and if the latter contains data on the user who has applied for theregistration this time, the WEB data file (WEB data) 3027 is confirmedand managed to register this user as a prospective purchaser of contactlenses (S301).

Next, when data registration of the applicant for the contact lensdelivery service is completed as a WEB data file, a message shown inFIG. 33 is sent to the user notifying him or her of the completion ofregistration. At this time, a follow-up confirmation message is alsosent to ask the user to check whether there are any mistakes in theapplication form or input errors at the contact lens ordering andmarketing service center 3002 of the registration information on theuser.

The first time the user uses the delivery service, the user is asked toregister (S302).

That is, the controller 3030 controls the display information creatingunit 3022 and lens ordering and marketing processor 3023 to transmit a“user registration” window shown in FIG. 34 to the mobile interface3001.

The “user registration” window prompts the user to read the terms ofagreement. When the user selects “read the terms of agreement(obligatory),” the “terms of agreement” windows shown in FIGS. 35 and 36are transmitted. The “terms of agreement” windows ask the user to acceptand comply with the terms of use for the contact lens delivery service,prompting the user to select “accept” in the window if the user has readand agreed to accept the terms (S303).

In response to the user's selection of “accept” from the mobileinterface 3001, the controller 3030 at the contact lens ordering andmarketing service center 3002 controls the display information creatingunit 3022 and lens ordering and marketing processor 3023 to transmit auser authentication window shown in FIG. 37 to the mobile interface3001.

Thereupon, the user inputs his or her password and ID in the “userauthentication” window that appears on the screen of the mobileinterface 3001 (S304).

The contact lens ordering and marketing service center 3002 performsauthentication by comparing the password and ID sent from the mobileinterface 3001 with data in the WEB data file 3027, in which ispreviously registered and controlled the information on registered usersof the delivery service (S305).

When the user authentication fails, the controller 3030 executes controlto transmit another user authentication window shown in FIG. 38 from thecontact lens ordering and marketing service center 3002.

If the user is authenticated and identified as a customer who visitedthe shop more than one year before that date, a “notice” window shown inFIG. 39 is transmitted to the mobile interface 3001 from the contactlens ordering and marketing service center 3002, reminding the user thatit has been more than a year and suggesting that the user visits anophthalmologist to test the vision again and get a new prescription(S306).

If the user's credit card has expired, a “notice” window shown in FIG.39 is transmitted to the mobile interface 3001 from the contact lensordering and marketing service center 3002, notifying the user of thisfact and prompting the user to inform the service center 3002 of a newexpiration date (S307).

If the user has visited the shop within the past year, the controller3030 at the contact lens ordering and marketing service center 3002controls the display information creating unit 3022 and lens orderingand marketing processor 3023 to transmit a “registration procedurecompleted” window shown in FIG. 40 containing a message that now theuser can place an order.

Thereupon the contact lens delivery service is commenced.

If there is an error in inputting the password or ID, the controller3030 controls the display information creating unit 3022 and lensordering and marketing processor 3023 to transmit a window shown in FIG.38 notifying the user of the input error in the password or ID from thecontact lens ordering and marketing service center 3002 to the mobileinterface 3001.

If the user is not a registered member of the service, the controller3030 controls the display information creating unit 3022 and lensordering and marketing processor 3023 to transmit a window shown in FIG.41 from the service center 3002 to the mobile interface 3001 informingthe user of the fact that he or she was not found in the member list.

If the user has visited the shop within the past one year and gonethrough the registration procedure, the “registration procedurecompleted” window shown in FIG. 40 containing a message that prompts theuser to place an order is transmitted. If the user selects “repeat ofprevious order” in the “registration procedure completed” window in themobile interface 3001, the controller 3030 at the contact lens orderingand marketing service center 3002 controls the display informationcreating unit 3022 and lens selection unit 3026 to transmit an“condition confirmation” window shown in FIG. 42 to the mobile interface3001, indicating the conditions of the contact lenses currently in use(S308).

The user at the mobile interface 3001 who receives this “conditionconfirmation” window confirms whether or not the specifications of thecontact lenses meet the user's needs (S309), and checks the contents ofpurchase conditions or the like (S310).

The user will select “yes” in the “condition confirmation” window if allthe information is correct.

When this affirmative answer is received by the contact lens orderingand marketing service center 3002, the controller 3030 executes controlof the display information creating unit 3022 and lens ordering andmarketing processor 3023 to transmit a “delivery location selection”window shown in FIG. 43. The user selects “OK” in this window sent fromthe contact lens ordering and marketing service center 3002 if it showsa correct delivery location. If the user wishes to select a differentdelivery location from the registered one, the user will select “change”in the “delivery location selection” window (S311). In response to this,the controller 3030 at the contact lens ordering and marketing servicecenter 3002 controls the display information creating unit 3022 and lensordering and marketing processor 3023 to transmit an input window shownin FIG. 44 that permits a different address to be entered.

When the new address is confirmed, the controller 3030 at the contactlens ordering and marketing service center 3002 controls the lensselection unit 3026 to transmit a “lens selection” window shown in FIG.45 to the mobile interface 3001 such that the user can select a lensthat user wants to order (S312).

Next, the contact lens ordering and marketing service center 3002transmits a “determination of number of order items” window shown inFIG. 46 to the mobile interface 3001 for allowing a number of orderitems to be determined, by the control executed by the controller 3030of the display information creating unit 3022 and lens ordering andmarketing processor 3023 (S313).

After the type of lens to be ordered is selected in the “lens selection”window (FIG. 45) and the number of lenses is determined in the“determination of number of order items” window (FIG. 46), the paymentmethod for the price of the contact lenses is confirmed (S314).

At the contact lens ordering and marketing service center 3002, thecontroller 3030 controls the settling unit 3024 to transmit a paymentmethod confirmation window shown in FIG. 47 to the mobile interface3001.

The “payment method confirmation” window allows the user to select fromthree options—credit card, cash on delivery, or pay in shop.

After completing the above confirmation, the controller 3030 at thecontact lens ordering and marketing service center 3002 controls thedisplay information creating unit 3022 and lens ordering and marketingprocessor 3023 to transmit a window that allows the user to confirm theprice and contents of order (FIG. 48) to the mobile interface 3001(S315). This confirmation window shows the number and type of orderedlenses, lens data, delivery location, addressee, phone number, paymentmethod, product price, shipping charges, and others.

The user checks the “order price and contents confirmation” window sentto the mobile interface 3001, and if the information given in thatwindow corresponds to the user's intentions, the user selects “order”,but if there is a mistake, the user can select “cancel” to cancel theorder.

When “order” is selected, the contact lens ordering and marketingservice center 3002 transmits a delivery date confirmation window shownin FIG. 49 to the mobile interface 3001.

Thereupon, at the contact lens ordering and marketing service center3002, the controller 3030 controls the electronic shop informationprocessor 3021 to check whether the lenses are in stock. It thencontrols the display information creating unit 3022 and lens orderingand marketing processor 3023 to indicate the order date and deliverylocation of the ordered item, and to transmit the confirmation window(FIG. 49) indicating the order contents, ordered lenses, lens data,place of delivery, addressee, phone number, payment method, price ofproducts, and shipping charges to the mobile interface 3001.

As mentioned above, if the user is identified as a registered member whohas visited the shop within the past one year, the user receives the“registration procedure completed” window (FIG. 40) containing a messagethat prompts the user to place an order. If the “repeat of previousorder” is selected in the “registration procedure completed” window inthe mobile interface 3001, the controller 3030 at the contact lensordering and marketing service center 3002 controls the displayinformation creating unit 3022 and lens selection unit 3026 to transmitthe “condition confirmation” window (FIG. 42) indicating the conditionsof the contact lenses currently in use to the mobile interface 3001. Ifthe user checks the “condition confirmation” window and finds itcontrary to the user's intentions, the user selects “No” in this windowin the mobile interface 3001.

When the contact lens ordering and marketing service center 3002receives this negative answer, the controller 3030 controls the displayinformation creating unit 3022 and lens ordering and marketing processor3023 to transmit a window (FIG. 50) to the mobile interface 3001,prompting the user to input correct specifications (S316).

Next, the controller 3030 at the contact lens ordering and marketingservice center 3002 controls the display information creating unit 3022and lens ordering and marketing processor 3023 to transmit windows shownin FIG. 51 and FIG. 52 for selecting a shop of purchase to the mobileinterface 3001 (S317).

Successively, a window (FIG. 53) for selecting a lens that haspreviously been purchased is transmitted to the mobile interface 3001 bythe display information creating unit 3022 and lens ordering andmarketing processor 3023.

When the purchased lens is selected, the above described service isprovided to the user.

If the contact lens ordering and marketing service center 3002determines that there is a mistake in the transmitted data, it decidesthat there has been an error and informs the user thereof via e-mail.

As described above, according to the present invention, eyeglasses withspecifications that corresponds to the vision and other requirements ofeach user can be ordered and marketed remotely by making use of anetwork.

It should be understood that the foregoing description is onlyillustrative of the present invention. Various alternatives andmodifications can be devised by those skilled in the art withoutdeparting from the present invention. Accordingly, the present inventionis intended to embrace all such alternatives, modifications andvariances which fall within the scope of the appended claims.

1. A method for ordering and marketing eyeglasses via a network using auser interface unit or a mobile interface, an eyeglass ordering andmarketing service center, and a network connecting therebetween, themethod comprising: retrieving vision test data and sending an inquirywindow to the user interface unit or the mobile interface to checkwhether new eyeglasses may be made according to previous data of apurchaser that is a registered user, based on the vision test data,which are controlled in the user database including basic attributeswhich are input by the user via a basic attribute input window, thebasic attributes in the user database include whether or not thepurchaser is a registered user; sending an inquiry window to the userinterface unit or the mobile interface for checking if a purchaser has adoctor's prescription, when it is determined that the purchaser is not aregistered user by retrieving the user database; sending an inquirywindow to the user interface unit or the mobile interface for checkingif the purchaser is over 40 years of age, if the purchaser does not havea doctor's prescription; sending an inquiry window to the user interfaceunit or the mobile interface for checking if the purchaser hasdifficulty in viewing near distances, and sending an inquiry window tothe user interface unit or the mobile interface for checking if thepurchaser desires to order presbyopic eyeglasses, in case the purchaserinputs that the purchaser is aware of difficulty in viewing neardistances; selecting an eyeglass frame from among a plurality ofeyeglass frames for a user; creating display information related toeyeglass frames; testing vision of the user; selecting an eyeglass lensfrom among a plurality of eyeglass lenses for the user; prompting theusers who are over 40 years of age to select either presbyopic orbifocal lenses, by judging from the viewpoint of age; processingeyeglass ordering and marketing made based on said eyeglass frameselection step, said vision test step and said lens selection step, suchthat vision is tested and eyeglass frames and lenses suitable thereforare determined, in response to a requirement of the user sent from theuser interface unit or the mobile interface, providing the userinterface unit or the mobile interface with information relating toordering and marketing, and concluding an eyeglass purchase contractwith the user; and creating display information relating to eyeglassframes in cooperation with or independently of said frame selection stepor said eyeglass ordering and marketing processing step, and fortransmitting the information on the eyeglass frames to the userinterface unit or the mobile interface.
 2. A network-based eyeglassordering and marketing system comprising a user interface unit or amobile interface, an eyeglass ordering and marketing service center, anda network connecting therebetween, wherein said network-based eyeglassordering and marketing systems further comprises: a unit for retrievingvision test data and sending an inquiry window to the user interfaceunit or the mobile interface to check whether new eyeglasses may be madeaccording to previous data of a purchaser that is a registered user,based on the vision test data, which are controlled in a user databaseincluding basic attributes which are input by the user via a basicattribute input window, the basic attributes in the user databaseinclude whether or not the Purchaser is a registered user; a unit forsending an inquiry window to the user interface unit or the mobileinterface for checking if the purchaser has a doctor's prescription,when it is determined that the purchaser is not a registered user byretrieving the user database; a unit for sending an inquiry window tothe user interface unit or the mobile interface for checking if thepurchaser is over 40 years of age, if the purchaser does not have adoctor's prescription; a unit for sending an inquiry window to the userinterface unit or the mobile interface for checking if the Purchaser hasdifficulty in viewing near distances, and a unit for sending an inquirywindow to the user interface unit or the mobile interface for checkingif the purchaser inputs that the purchaser desires to order presbyopiceyeglasses, in case the purchaser input that the purchaser is aware ofdifficulty in viewing near distances; a frame selection unit forselecting an eyeglass frame from among a plurality of eyeglass framesfor a user; a unit for creating display information related to eyeglassframes; a unit for testing vision of the user; a lens selection unit forselecting an eyeglass lens from among a plurality of eyeglass lenses forthe user; an eyeglasses selection unit for prompting the users who areover 40 years of age, to select either presbyopic or bifocal lenses; aneyeglass ordering and marketing processing unit for enabling said frameselection unit, said vision testing unit and said lens selection unit,to test vision and to determine eyeglass frames and lenses suitable forthe user, in response to a requirement of the user sent from the userinterface unit or the mobile interface, for providing the user interfaceunit or the mobile interface with information relating to ordering andmarketing, and for concluding an eyeglass purchase contract with theuser; and a display information creating unit for creating informationrelating to eyeglass frames in cooperation with or independently of saidframe selection unit or said eyeglass ordering and marketing processingunit, and for transmitting the information related to the eyeglassframes to the user interface unit or the mobile interface.
 3. A programembodied on a recording medium of a network-based eyeglass ordering andmarketing system recorded thereon, the system comprising a userinterface unit or a mobile interface, an eyeglass ordering and marketingservice center, and a network connecting therebetween, wherein theprogram embodied on the recording medium of the network-based eyeglassordering and marketing system comprises: a unit for retrieving visiontest data and sending an inquiry window to the user interface unit orthe mobile interface to check whether new eyeglasses may be madeaccording to previous data of a purchaser that is a registered user,based on the vision test data, which are controlled in a user databaseincluding basic attributes which are input by the user via a basicattribute input window, the basic attributes in the user databaseinclude whether or not the purchaser is a registered user; a unit forsending an inquiry window to the user interface unit or the mobileinterface for checking if the purchaser has a doctor's prescription,when it is determined that the purchaser is not a registered user byretrieving the user database; a unit for sending an inquiry window tothe user interface unit or the mobile interface for checking if thepurchaser is over 40 years of age, if the purchaser does not have adoctor's prescription; a unit for sending an inquiry window to the userinterface unit or the mobile interface for checking if the purchaser hasdifficulty in viewing near distances, and a unit for sending an inquirywindow to the user interface unit or the mobile interface for checkingif the purchaser inputs that the purchaser desires to order presbyopiceyeglasses, in case the purchaser input that the purchaser is aware ofdifficulty in viewing near distances; a frame selection unit forselecting an eyeglass frame from among a plurality of eyeglass framesfor a user; a unit for creating display information related to eyeglassframes; a unit for testing vision of the user; a lens selection unit forselecting an eyeglass lens from among a plurality of eyeglass lenses forthe user; an eyeglasses selection unit for prompting the users who areover 40 years of age, to select either presbyopic or bifocal lenses; aneyeglass ordering and marketing processing unit for enabling said frameselection unit, said vision testing unit and said lens selection unit,to test vision and to determine eyeglass frames and lenses suitable forthe user, in response to a requirement of the user sent from the userinterface unit or the mobile interface, for providing the user interfaceunit or the mobile interface with information relating to ordering andmarketing, and for concluding an eyeglass purchase contract with theuser; and a display information creating unit for creating informationrelating to eyeglass frames in cooperation with or independently of saidframe selection unit or said eyeglass ordering and marketing processingunit, and for transmitting the information related to the eyeglassframes to the user interface unit or the mobile interface.
 4. A programembodied on a computer readable medium and executable by a computer orprocessor for executing a method of ordering and marketing eyeglassesvia a network using a user interface unit or a mobile interface, aneyeglass ordering and marketing service center, and a network connectingtherebetween, the program comprising the steps of: retrieving visiontest data and sending an inquiry window to the user interface unit orthe mobile interface to check whether new eyeglasses may be madeaccording to previous data of a purchaser that is a registered user,based on the vision test data, which are controlled in the user databaseincluding basic attributes which are input by the user via a basicattribute input window, the basic attributes in the user databaseinclude whether or not the purchaser is a registered user; sending aninquiry window to the user interface unit or the mobile interface forchecking if a purchaser has a doctor's prescription, when it isdetermined that the purchaser is not a registered user by retrieving theuser database; sending an inquiry window to the user interface unit orthe mobile interface for checking if the purchaser is over 40 years ofage, if the purchaser does not have a doctor's prescription; sending aninquiry window to the user interface unit or the mobile interface forchecking if the purchaser has difficulty in viewing near distances, andsending an inquiry window to the user interface unit or the mobileinterface for checking if the purchaser desires to order presbyopiceyeglasses, in case the purchaser inputs that the purchaser is aware ofdifficulty in viewing near distances; selecting an eyeglass frame fromamong a plurality of eyeglass frames for a user; creating displayinformation related to eyeglass frames; testing vision of the user;selecting an eyeglass lens from among a plurality of eyeglass lenses forthe user; prompting the users who are over 40 years of age to selecteither presbyopic or bifocal lenses, by judging from the viewpoint ofage; processing eyeglass ordering and marketing made based on saideyeglass frame selection step, said vision test step and said lensselection step, such that vision is tested and eyeglass frames andlenses suitable therefor are determined, in response to a requirement ofthe user sent from the user interface unit or the mobile interface,providing the user interface unit or the mobile interface withinformation relating to ordering and marketing, and concluding aneyeglass purchase contract with the user; and creating displayinformation relating to eyeglass frames in cooperation with orindependently of said frame selection step or said eyeglass orderingprocessing step, and for transmitting the information on the eyeglassframes to the user interface unit or the mobile interface.